SOLE Albury contender Mr Sunset was sensationally scratched from the Wodonga Cup last night after the horse’s connections were left furious at an alleged barrier draw snub.
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Trainer Brett Cavanough withdrew his in-form gelding from the race at the owners’ request when they discovered they had not been invited to the cup launch at the SS & A Wodonga Country Golf Club.
Mr Sunset’s connections logged on to the Racing Victoria website just after 11am to view the barrier draw’s outcome but were surprised to find the draw of all races except for the $60,000 Wodonga Cup.
“I rang Racing Victoria stewards to find out what was going on and they told me they were having an official barrier draw function,” Cavanough said.
“They asked me why I wasn’t there and I told them it was because I wasn’t invited.
“I let the owners know and they were furious.
“They (the owners) told me to scratch the horse.
“The owners have their horses in Albury so they can have them in races like the Wodonga Cup and have the prestige of being able to draw their own horse’s barrier.”
Mr Sunset, considered an outside chance after winning at Goulburn last week, was drawn barrier 14 by an independent Country Racing Victoria official in the absence of connections.
North East Racing officials were shocked to learn Mr Sunset had been scratched and denied any deliberate snub.
“We sent invitations to numerous trainers and made every effort to make everyone aware of our barrier draw function,” general manager Tracey Beaton said.
“We’re disappointed Mr Sunset has been scratched but I don’t think we could have done anything more to ensure people were aware of the event.
“It’s the first time we’ve held such an event and there’s bound to be teething problems, but I would have hoped we could work through them together to make it a bigger and better success next time.”
Mr Sunset is part-owned by several parties including Richard Pegum, part-owner of 2000 Melbourne Cup winner Brew, and Sydney banker Tony James, who Mr Cavanough said had been excited about coming to Sunday’s race.