Payne slams Flemington track manager Mick Goodie in Twitter rant
MELBOURNE Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne has launched an extraordinary attack on Flemington track manager Mick Goodie on Twitter.
The jockey-turned-trainer hammered Goodie in a series of tweets, calling for his position to be reviewed after a clear inside bias during Saturday’s Australian Guineas meeting.
Payne said the track manager has many options if he wants to avoid favouring certain parts of the track, but Goodie refuses to implement those routes.
“Mowing the grass shorter on the inside because it’s different grass, he should put the rail out if he wants to avoid that patch of grass,” Payne said.
“He’s got 30 metres of track and sometimes you might want to be on three metres of that track.
“It can happen anywhere but it just happens time and time again at Flemington.
“Obviously a very hard job to be a track manager, there’s no doubt about that, but this shouldn’t be happening so many times on our best track which is a beautiful big, track.”
Payne copped a barrage of insults in the aftermath of the tweets.
One Twitter user pointed out that it was Goodie’s inside bias that gave Payne her Melbourne Cup winning ride on Prince Of Penzance.
Others called into question the way Payne went about her criticism, going as far as to say the popular racing figure was ‘disgraceful’.
While not wanting to address Payne’s comments directly, Goodie said he was “more than happy” after Saturday’s race day at Flemington.
“When we put the rail back in the true position and the track is firm, that’s how it races,” the track manager said.
“I was more than happy with how the track played.”
Goodie said the rail will remain in the true position for this weekend’s Super Saturday meeting, which is headlined by the Australian Cup and Newmarket Handicap.
Stewards give the okay to a dangerous Huntington ride in the UK
Ever seen a horse race that has minimal interference lead to a stewards’ inquiry that gets upheld? Then this one from UK racing venue Huntington will make your blood boil.
In a 3200m hurdle race, short-priced favourite Azzuri (-357.14 at Crownbet.com.au) looked to be getting a challenge from Hint Of Grey, but the leader took a sharp left hand path which cut off the rival and took it right to the outside fence in the latter stages of the race.
The odds-on Azzuri (4-11) is first past the post in the opener at Huntingdon for Dan/Harry Skelton but will he keep the race? pic.twitter.com/Zh2ZvTkUiX
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) March 5, 2017
The stewards call for an inquiry, but ultimately dismissed the change, leaving the short-priced elect as the winner of the race.
Prominent UK trainer Tony Mullins did not agree with the decision.
There is no need for a stewards enquiry any more just do what you like Huntington 2.00. Unreal
— Tony Mullins (@tonymullins84) March 5, 2017
Those that punted on Azzuri though were not complaining.
They were left to count their lucky stars and their winnings given the UK stewards are far more lenient than their Australian counterparts.
@armesie @GrattonTom @myracingtips looks like they’ve given azzuri the win. Mightily relieved- I’m sure I’d be pissed if I’d backed Hint.
— wiltooooooord (@Wiltooooooord) March 5, 2017
Three quarters of the field take the wrong course at Auteuil
Here is something you do not see very often on a racecourse.
At French racing venue Auteuil, the majority of the field took the wrong path in a 4400m steeplechase, leading to almost four fifths of the field effectively eliminating themselves from the running.
Several bold jockeys took their horses back around the obstacles and attempted to catch the leading trio who were in front by an incredibly long way.
The runners were meet by boos and jeers from the crowd, which came through audibly on the international coverage.
For the record, Babalshams took out the race and returned +1230 at WilliamHill.com.au.