As a former senior rider and experienced trainer, Garth Puller said that after 5mm of rain on a dry and hard surface, anybody thinking of asking questions about how Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting managed to be abandoned, would not be unreasonable or offsides.
Great Warrior wins at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday (Pic-Candiese Lenferna)
Speaking to the Sporting Post, the former Champion jockey said that he was a member of the party that carried out the first inspection.
He said that if, after 5mm of rain the track could not cope with further races after an eight-horse field Derby, then ‘something is seriously wrong with the preparation and management’.
“Look, the bend was cut up on the running rail and the Veterinary Surgeon was in support of the jockey’s sentiments. They then moved the rail. At the second inspection after the Derby, the jockeys said it was cut up on the back stretch too and even the virgin turf was not raceable in parts. The Vet once again was in agreement with the jockeys. We respect the professionals and I did not look at the track after the Derby. I’m glad that we managed to get through the one feature as there were July hopes on the line,” he said.
Gold Circle’s Graeme Hawkins confirmed that the abandonment was as a result of ‘inconsistent underfoot conditions’ and that they were considering running the Gr2 Track & Ball Oaks next Saturday.
