Cranbourne’s metropolitan meeting was cut short after fog halted tonight’s meet after the third race owing to safety and integrity concerns.
Fynn Frost and Royal Charlotte managed early wins and then a dead heat was declared between Still Hungover and Orbie in the third after officials were unable to separate the pair owing to a fog affected race finish.
After the dead heat was declared race four was delayed as stewards investigated the impacts of the fog with participants, announcing at 6.51pm the race night had been postponed.
HRV Chairman of Stewards Brett Day told Trots Vision the decision arose “from significant safety concerns”, including the Clerk of the Course’s ability to be able to react quickly in the event of a race fall.
“The other paramount consideration for us was the impact on the photo finishing image for race number three,” Day said.
“We were unable to obtain a clear photo finish image as a result of the fog, which the judging staff advised had only worsened leading up to race four.
“In those circumstances we wouldn’t be doing the right thing by anybody from a safety perspective or an integrity perspective to be able to determine a fair result.”
He said the postponement was made with “the support of the (Victorian) Trainers and Drivers Association”, who “were in full agreeance with the stewards’ decision in the circumstances”.
“We get here a minimum two hours before the first race,” Day said. “The fog certainly wasn’t impacting the racecourse to any degree. You could see it in the distance, if anything it looked as though it was a smoke haze.
“Race one for example was certainly nowhere near any reason to cause us concern. These type of weather events, they’re very difficult to predict. It may have been a faint fog early today, but who’s to know it’s going to roll in the way it has?
“As disappointing as it is for the participants, I’m extremely disappointed for the club, they had a great crowd here tonight and the dining fully booked, so I certainly sympathise with them.”
HEAR FROM CHAIRMAN OF STEWARDS BRETT DAY ON TROTS VISION:
The disappointment was softened for trainer Andy Gath and driver Kate Gath as they combined to claim the first with Fynn Frost, who found the front from gate five and held all comers at bay in a 56.5s last half to register a third win since crossing to Australia.
The 4.7-metre win in the Downbytheseaside Standing @ Woodlands Stud Pace continues the stable’s successful partnership with owner Norm Jenkin.
The lead was again the place to be in the second, with Zac Phillips marching to the front on Royal Charlotte in the Cranbourne Fencing Trot.
The five-year-old trotting mare felt little pressure early, with consecutive 31.5s quarters after a 37.1s lead time, despite well-fancied favourite Enhance Your Calm and then highly-rated Is That A Bid sidling to her outside.
It was all to race for in the final half and Royal Charlotte had plenty chomping into her advantage, but the Paul Males-trained dual Oaks winner had enough in store to win by a head from Prosthesis and a neck to Majestical Belle in a blanket finish.
“She seems to run her best races out in front,” Zac Phillips told Trots Vision. “Out in front she’s always happy to keep having a go, so whenever we can lead it’s always a big advantage for this filly.
“(Her gate speed) makes all the difference. You often see horses with gate speed and you think how many races would that horse have won without gate speed? Although she’s a multiple Oaks winner, it’s definitely helped her out in the open age races.”
There was also a wide pack hunting the line in the Dani Lewis Memorial Plate, with only four metres separating the first five across the line and Orbie and Still Hungover unable to be separated.
Ellen Tormey guided the latter to the breeze to sit outside leader Belladonna Girl, with Michael Bellman perfectly poised one-out one-back on Orbie.
A slow 33.4s second quarter meant it was always going to be a dash to the line and so it proved, with Still Hungover clawing past the leader at the final turn and hitting the line in a 27.9s final quarter, with Orbie chomping into the lead late to force the dead heat.
