Lightning wreaks havoc with midweek races at Belmont Park
Lightning strikes near the Belmont Park track forced stewards to halt Wednesday’s meeting after two races and six remaining events will be transferred across three weekend programs.
Chief stipe Brad Lewis delayed the midweek meeting for an hour while assessing electrical storm activity in the track’s vicinity, but gave up hope racing could continue.
Racing and Wagering WA said 1400m and 2100m events not run on Wednesday would be added to Saturday’s Belmont Park card, boosting it to an 11-race fixture.
Two Belmont races scheduled to be run over 1200m will be switched to Pinjarra’s race meeting on Sunday. Wednesday’s abandoned 1200m and 1650m races will be run at Northam on Monday, with distance changes to 1100m and 1600m respectively.
“We hoped lightning would clear quickly, so today’s meeting could resume after about an hour’s recess,” Lewis said.
“But lightning remained nearby and checks with weather forecasters indicated the electrical storm would stay around Belmont for a while.
“It became apparent that we would run out of time to conduct the meeting before daylight faded.
“Stewards are not prepared to take the slightest risk in regard to jockeys and horses, by racing while lightning is in the area.”
Turf industry officials tightened regulations governing racing and trackwork in storms after a tragedy at Ascot.
Jockey Damion Beckett, 22, died after being struck lightning at Ascot trackwork in 1998.
Belmont’s thoroughbred meeting was the second WA racing code to have a program postponed on Wednesday, after Bunbury trots were transferred to Thursday.
The Bunbury pacing meeting was switched after rain made the track unsafe for racing.
Meanwhile, former rogue three-year-old Chipolartie revealed big potential when she won Wednesday’s first Belmont race at $6.50.
Ridden by apprentice Victoria Corver, the filly set a solid pace over 1200m and beat off a late challenge from favourite Princess Milli.
Trainer Ryan Hill said he was relieved Chipolartie had opened a winning account, after temperament problems in education.
“Her manners have only recently begun to improve,” ex Perth jockey Hill said. “She’s super tough, with a bright future.”
Corver, who has ridden Chipolartie in trackwork, said she was impressed by the filly’s improved attitude on Wednesday.
“Today, she’s been on her best ever behaviour,” Corver said. “Chipolartie did nothing weird, like she’s done in the past. She travelled beautifully.”
Jockey Brad Parnham gave a glowing report on Forever Classic after the former $100,000 yearling won Wednesday’s second race by more than three lengths.
The Pierro filly, trained by Parnham’s father Neville, was starting first-up.
“Forever Classic will win plenty of races,” Brad Parnham said. “She’s come back stronger and will go right on with it.”
Parnham will ride last summer’s The Pinnacles carnival feature event winner Saintorio when he resumes for trainer Stephen Miller in Saturday’s $125,000 Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Belmont.
William Pike and Clint Johnston-Porter are booked for Raconteur mounts on last-start winners Exceltrain and Vast Art, respectively.
Trainer David Harrison is aiming for dual meeting success on Saturday, with three Belmont runners and four starters at Broome’s opening meeting.
Harrison will be represented by Getyourmoneyandrun, Position Of Power and Devine Belief at Belmont. His Broome runners are Silkinize, Glacier Miss, City Regal and Buster’s Force.
+ WA apprentice jockey Luke Campbell, who transferred to Victoria last week, will have six rides at Flemington on Saturday.
His mounts are Chandon Burj, Manhattan Thunder, Savorski, Milton Park, Junipal and Standoff.
Campbell impressed when opening his Victorian winning account on Capital Express at Pakenham last Monday.
+ Ladbrokes has installed Golden Slipper winner Fireburn at $3.80 favouritism for Saturday’s Queensland Oaks (2200m). Next in betting are Renaissance Woman ($4.20) and Affaire De Suivre ($6).
ERNIE’S
EARNERS
ECHUCA: Second Divison (R5, No.1)
WYONG: Golden Gate (R5, No.2)
NOWRA: Mosgold (R2, No.6)
GATTON: Alamira (R6, No.5)
BUNBURY TROTS: Miss Hepburn (R5, No.3)
ECHUCA SPECIALS
CHICALOTE (R2, NO.1): A promising Godolphin-owned three-year-old starting second-up for trainer James Cummings. The grey ran on to finish fifth in his race debut over 1014m at Werribee in April. He is from a lightly-raced Lonhro mare who was a Sydney runner-up..
CAPISTAN (R3, NO.2): Expected to be solidly conditioned after a first-up fourth over 1218m at Kyneton on May 18. The gelding has recorded four minor placings on Victorian provincial tracks and is due to break maiden status. He possesses a strong finishing run.
SECOND DIVISON (R5, NO.1): Highly rated New Zealand import making his Australian debut for trainer Patrick Payne after a 16-length win over 2060m at Wanganui on May 11. The five-year-old had won an Otaki 1600m event in April when having only his second race.
