Racing: Start inquiry makes progress

A decision on whether disciplinary action will be taken over the incident in which a starter's assistant was knocked over by horses in front of the stalls at Riccarton on Saturday should be made early next week.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief stipendiary steward Cameron George interviewed Canterbury starter Stephanie Payne over the incident yesterday. Aaron Taylor was the assistant still in front of the stalls when the field was released in one of the races at Riccarton.

He was bowled over but escaped with just bruising.

"I interviewed the starter today to try to work out exactly what happened and we will now consider our options," George said yesterday.

- NZPA