By MICHAEL GUERIN
Todd Mitchell fears for this season's Interdominions in Brisbane.
The Cambridge reinsman has taken a very close look at Queensland harness racing in the past month and admits he has a concern about the Interdominons there next May.
Mitchell was left pondering the state of the Queensland stipendiary control after Waikato pacer Facta Non Verba was checked out of Saturday night's $A30,000 Sunshine Sprint at Albion Park.
Facta Non Verba was badly checked racing into the first bend when former Kiwi pacer Baron Knight, which had started from barrier three, pushed another former New Zealander, Revonez, down onto Facta Non Verba, who had started from the ace.
That resulted in Facta Non Verba being shunted back on the marker pegs from where he could only finish seventh.
The favourite Persistency led and controlled the race, beating stablemate Grumpy Ole Man.
An inquiry after the race found Baron Knight's driver Vaughan Quirke was not at fault because his horse was hanging so he was not suspended.
"I couldn't believe it," said Mitchell. "It was one of the worst decisions I have ever seen.
"I mean, if they were poor horses in a $4000 race you could blame the horse but this was an open class race, one of the features of the carnival.
"The Interdominions are going to be held here in May and they would want to do something about the standard of stipendiary control before then. I saw some other strange decisions there on Saturday night too and it is a worry."
Mitchell is not the only leading Kiwi horseman to have left Albion Park on the wrong side of the stipes in recent years.
Three years ago Mark Purdon was stunned to be handed a lengthy suspension for making his run too late in a race in Brisbane.
Mitchell and co-trainer Mike Berger are now hoping for better luck when Facta Non Verba contests Saturday night's $A75,000 Winter Cup.
"I was happy with the way he went after he got checked because you have no chance when you get back in a mile race on this track.
"I am sure he will be a better chance in the Winter Cup but Persistency will be hard to beat. He impressed me."
Persistency's return to big race winning form justifies the patience trainer Gavin Lang has shown with the gelding.
Two years ago he was the best 3-year-old in Australia but suffered an injury which threatened to end his career.
He resumed two months ago and has being allowed to work his way back through the grades before stepping up to the big time on Saturday night.
He now looks ready to take the step up to Grand Circuit racing which begins in Queensland on October 20.
While New South Wales has Courage Under Fire, Victoria will be able to boast Interdom champ Shakamaker, Victoria Cup winner Breeny Fella's and Chariots Of Fire winner Lombo Rapida as well as Persistency when the Grand Circuit starts.
Racing: Stipendary stewards' decision raise Interdominion worries
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.