Error costs plum ride

Press, 27 February 1989, Page 31

Error costs plum ride

Being suspended until March 18, and so missing the ride on Saveur in the sAustsoo,ooo Alister Clark Stakes on that day, may not be the end of the problems faced by the rider, Tony Allan. Allan was suspended for failing to weigh in with Candide in the Air New Zealand Stakes, an incredible oversight considering he had been fined $BOO for failing to weigh in on Taonganui at Avondale last Wednesday. That horse, the favourite, finished second and had to be disqualified, because of the oversight. The penalty given for the offence was a controversial one and the stipendiary steward, Noel

McCutcheon, has sought leave to appeal the decision from the Racing Conference. He indicated on Saturday that the suspension’ given over the Candide matter had no bearing on his intention to apeal in the earlier case. Candide finished sixth in the race and Allan was not aware that he was required to weigh in as there were five stakes awarded instead of the normal four. He was called by the clerk of scales but did not hear the request. Candide was disqualified. Allan had no intentions of appealing on Saturday and indeed in some ways welcomed the suspension.

“I need a break. I’ve had a series of things like this happen lately. I’ve had a very busy season and a spell should do me good,” Allan said. Allan had been winless since Saveur’s St Leger victory last month but earlier in the season won the Mackinnon Stakes and Melbourne Cup on Empire Rose, the Avondale Cup on Maurine and the Avondale Guineas on Lou Morton. Michael Pitman has engaged Harry White to ride Saveur in his lead-up race for the Clark Stakes. Saveur and Fly Baby leave for Australia from Auckland on Wednesday and are at present based in Levin.