The Blacks A Fake wash up

The Group 1 Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship was run and won by Amazing Dream at Albion Park last Saturday night but the race had some victims.

Onlookers saw the hard luck run by defending champion King Of Swing after galloping in the early stages of the race and fighting on to finish a gallant third.

Here is what the stewards reported:

Race 7 – 2021 TAB BLACKS A FAKE QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONSHIP (G1)  2680M

King Of Swing NZ (Luke McCarthy) shifted away from a marker pegs after the start when beaten for speed. Checked and broke on the first turn when Copy That NZ which was racing to the outside moved to a position closer o the marker pegs.

Jeradas Delight (Brendan Barnes) severely checked and lost valuable ground on the first turn when King Of Swing galloped.

Spirit Of St Louis NZ (Leonard Cain) checked on entrance to the front straight on the first occasion when Bundoran NZ over raced and contacted the back of Spirit Of Saint Louis NZ sulky when being restrained.

Amazing Dream NZ (Blair Orange) underwent a pre race veterinary examination and passed fit to take its place in the field.

Copy That NZ (Anthony Butt) near side sulky wheel contacted when shifting in advance of King Of Swing on the first turn.

Rockin Marty (Brad Hewitt) checked on the first turn and raced roughly.

Turn It Up (Shane Graham) contacted marker pegs on the first turn when racing in restricted room to the inside of King Of Swing. Tired in the concluding stages to finish a distant last. A post race veterinary inspection failed to reveal any abnormalities. Stewards were advised the gelding will be sent for an immediate spell. Turn It Up will be required to complete a satisfactory trial before racing again.

L L Cool J NZ (Adam Sanderson) checked and lost ground on the first turn.

Bundoran NZ (Amanda Turnbull) checked on the first turn and then raced keenly when being restrained on entrance to the front straight contacting the back of the sulky of Spirit Of Saint Louis NZ and raced roughly for a short distance.

General

The driving licence of Anthony Butt (Copy That NZ) was suspended for 28 days after pleading guilty to a charge under AHR rule 165(1)(b) for failing to give sufficient clearance to King Of Swing when attempting to cross that horse on the first turn, which resulted in King Of Swing galloping and causing interference to a number of runners. In assessing the matter of penalty, consideration was given to Mr Butts good driving record, his plea on penalty and the status of the race. Stewards were also mindful of the degree of the interference which was deemed in the higher range. This suspension will commence midnight Saturday 24 July 2021.

Anthony Butt and Ricky Thurlow were warned in relation to their conduct following a verbal altercation in the birdcage area after the race.

Watch the replay here: