KEY POINTS:
Controversy continues to stalk exceptional pacer Changeover, even after winning the richest 3-year-old pacing race of the year.
The rangy colt created scenes of joy and some outbursts of anger when he won the $200,000 PGG Wrightsons Sales Series Pace at Alexandra Park yesterday.
While there was little
doubt Changeover was the best horse in the race after working to the lead in the middle stages before holding off Another Creation, the race did not sit well with stipendiary stewards or some fellow racehorse owners.
Stewards charged Changeover's trainer Geoff Small, who drove stablemate Pocket Baileyship, with improper driving for pulling out of the trail with 1300m to run and then leaving enough room for Changeover to work his way off the markers.
The inquiry was soon adjourned.
One of the owners of Another Creation, Tim Vince, quickly sought out the stewards after the race to protest against Small's driving tactics.
The stewards opened an inquiry into the tactics, alleging Small had not given Pocket Baileyship its best chance to win by moving out off the markers.
The stewards did not have the power to change the result of the race but when the inquiry is reconvened Small will have to defend his tactics.
He was willing to do so in private yesterday but would not speak publicly because the inquiry has yet to be finalised.
While that battle raged in the steward's room, outside Vince and some rival owners were openly accusing Small of team driving, taking the gloss off what should have been a win of redemption.
Changeover won the Sires' Stakes Final at Addington on November 14 but looks set to lose that race after caffeine was found in his swab.
"What happened at Addington was really disappointing because we didn't do anything wrong and I felt terrible for the owners," said Small.
"So to get this win back for them is very satisfying, even though this inquiry has not started."
While Changeover is proving a problem child for administrators his win was still greeted with a massive celebration as he is owned by the huge ATC Trot Syndicate, which has so many members the presentation photo had to be taken on the track as they could not all fit in the winner's circle.
Changeover could now head to Victoria for the Victoria Derby later this month in which he will clash with Australian champion Lombo Pocket Watch.
"That is very much up in the air at the moment but he is a very good horse and the Victoria Derby is definitely an option."
After that Changeover will head an incredibly strong local 3-year-old contingent for what is shaping as one of the races of the season, the $200,000 Woodlands Great Northern Derby in March.
While controversy surrounded Changeover's win in the richest race of the day it was business as usual for top trotting mare Allegro Agitato in the $75,000 National Trot.
The wonderful mare won her third group race in 16 days when she led for most of the 2700m to hold out the storming late run of Our Sunny Whiz.
"She really is a great old mare," said driver Ricky May, shaking his head.
May also praised trainer Phil Williamson for his handling of Allegro Agitato.
"Some people might have been tempted to head to Australia for the Interdominions with a horse this good," said May.
"But they stayed here, set her for these races up north and have won two worth $50,000 and this one worth $75,000.
"That is worth almost as much as winning the Interdoms without all that risk."
Mixed emotions
There was joy and anger at Changeover's win in the richest 3-year-old pacing race of the year yesterday.
Stewards charged Changeover's trainer Geoff Small, who drove stablemate Pocket Baileyship, with improper driving.
Huge ATC Trot Syndicate celebrated win in style.