Racehorse TALK

Adam HamiltonFrom: Tuesday, 9 February 2010


RACING Victoria stewards are investigating the defeat of odds-on favourite Finishing Card at Mornington on January 8.


The three-year-old opened at $1.40, eased to $1.65 and firmed to $1.60 before finishing threequarters of a length second to New Venture in a 1210m maiden.

"We opened an inquiry and it is ongoing," RVL chairman of stewards Terry Bailey said.

"We are currently investigating all betting activities on the race."

The Clinton McDonald-trained Finishing Card drew barrier 13, covered plenty of extra ground and flew home late. New Venture enjoyed a perfect run behind the leader and took advantage of a rails run to win.

On the day, Finishing Card's rider Dan Nikolic told stewards that near the 400m he had looked back three times after hearing calls from rider Ryan Maloney on Supreme Athena.

The stewards' report on the day stated: "Nikolic further added R. McDonald (Ross), representing C. McDonald (Clinton), stated that he would prefer the colt to be raced outside other runners as Finishing Card does not race well in amongst the field."

Stewards continued the investigation at Sandown on January 13, when evidence was taken from Maloney and Ben Knobel, who also rode in the race.

Maloney told stewards he had called out near the 400m. Knobel said he had heard the calls, but had not contributed himself.

Clinton McDonald is involved in another stewards' probe after positive swabs from three horses: Mr Crane (Echuca, November 3 and Seymour, November 19); Carleton (Echuca, November 3) and Shabtis (Seymour, November 19).

The urine samples allegedly showed the presence of 3-methoxytyramine at a concentration above the permitted level, which made it a prohibited substance.

Stawell trainer Terry O'Sullivan faces an inquiry into an alleged positive swab for the same substance in a urine sample taken from Last Drop at Moonee Valley on November 29.

"These are complicated cases and I've got no updates on them," Bailey said.

Bailey said Leon Corstens was yet to appeal against the six-month suspension imposed last Wednesday for a positive swab from his stable star Starspangledbanner at Caulfield on August 1 in a lead-up race to his Caulfield Guineas win.

"Mr Corstens has until next Wednesday to lodge an appeal," Bailey said.