By MIKE DILLON
Vinny Colgan, sacked on Wednesday as No 1 rider for the powerful Roger James stable, did not front at Ellerslie yesterday.
Colgan's first two rides, Vice Versa in race two and Mabuz in race three, both won. He was replaced on both horses by Leith Innes.
Auckland Racing Club assistant chief executive Andrew O'Toole said Colgan called after race three saying he had not been aware he had rides at the meeting.
Chef stipendiary steward Noel McCutcheon said Colgan would be asked for an official explanation at the next raceday he attended.
McCutcheon had a busy day.
It started with favourite Luiton having to be scratched after becoming fractious in the birdcage, slipping over and becoming tangled in a gate when taking charge of rider Allan Peard going out onto the track.
The stipendiary stewards then had to contend with the worrying problem of some runners slipping as they left the barriers, something which has dogged recent meetings.
Later they had to deal with veteran rider Alwyn Tweedie flourishing his whip a stride before the winning post when successful on Kaimata Bronco.
It was Tweedie's 100th winner at Ellerslie and the 50-something rider came up with the best quote of the carnival in the judicial room.
Asked to comment on his against-the-rules whip flourish Tweedie said: "Well, I guess I can't blame youthful exuberance, so I plead guilty."
Thank you, $300 fine.
Tweedie admitted the flourish was as much for trainer Stephen Argue as for himself.
"He's being doing it tough and he stuck by me for this win and I appreciate it. Do you know, I have never been beaten on a horse I've ridden for Stephen."
Racing: Sacked rider fails to show
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