Racing: Calder cops $1500 fine

Andrew Calder copped a lesson at Avondale last Friday he reckons all jockeys should be paying attention to.

Calder dropped his hands and sat up on the favourite, Spiriting, in the maiden distance race, costing himself fourth placing.

What he'd forgotten was that it was a first-four race for punters.

Calder was fined $1500.

"I made a blue and I put my hands up," said the Cambridge-based jockey.

"I was disappointed in myself, but like all jockeys you forget there are First Four bets on races like that." Part-owner and trainer Gregor Robson wasn't sure what to make of High Octane's first-up run at Te Rapa on Saturday.

For starters, his close, closing second to Lutry under 61kg was stunning. The race was merely a let's-see for Robson.

The Waikato horseman has had his share of problems keeping High Octane in racing trim since early this year and Saturday's race was critical.

"He's had a pulled muscle in his rump and it's taken a while."

Robson said if High Octane progressed he would be aimed at suitable races at Te Rapa and Hawkes Bay before the Kelt Capital meeting later in the year.