Racing: Trainers jump in after sport saved

With jumps racing given a lifeline, Victorian trainers wasted no time getting back on track with hurdle and steeplechase trials yesterday.

Less than 24 hours after the Racing Victoria Ltd board gave the sport a reprieve, 28 horses competed in eight jumps trials at Moe.

The Quentin Scott-trained Latino was the only horse to fall but both the horse and his rider, Stephen Pateman, were unharmed.

"The horse was checked by the vet and it was okay," said steward Mark Hill.

Jumps racing was suspended on May 7 after three horses died at the Warrnambool carnival but is set to resume at Mornington on Sunday under a new set of guidelines.

The Mornington fixture is one of the highlights of the jumps season and features the Great Southern Steeplechase as well as two hurdle races.

Former top jumper Topzoff, who has not raced over the jumps for four years because of a tendon injury, is among 49 entries in the three races but trainer Peter Healey is unlikely to run him.

The 12-year-old finished third in his Moe trial yesterday and Healey believes he needs more time.

- AAP