By Adam Hamilton
Champion driver Chris Alford will contest the severity of a two-week suspension for causing interference to Victoria Cup big gun Hectorjayjay in last night’s race.
As it stands, Alford is clear to drive Lennytheshark in next Saturday night’s $500,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton.
But he plans to appeal the severity of the penalty and start it next Sunday.
Worst case scenario, he won’t be able to drive Lennytheshark at Menangle on February 18 in one of the compulsory qualifying sprints for the Miracle Mile.
Alford tweeted his intention to appeal the severity of the penalty because he “only contributed to the interference” and wasn’t solely responsible.
He added it “had only been 6771 drives since last driving offence or 5 years.”
The replay clearly shows Alford’s drive Cruz Bromac and Hectorjayjay (driven by Josh Aiken) come together soon after the start and then Hectorjayjay gallops and effectively loses all chance in the race.
It also shows before that the polemarker, Mach Doro, go into a gallop and Aiken moved up the track to safely avoid the galloping horse.
The biggest question on appeal will be whether Alford kept his line or not.
Aiken, who won the third race of the night on Magic Oats, didn’t have much go right either side of that victory.
The scrimmage and subsequent gallop by Hectorjayjay cost Aiken and connections any hope of a Victoria Cup dream coming true.
And stewards also suspended Aiken for his drive on fourth-placed The Defiant in the first of the Victoria Derby heats.
They found him guilty of contributing to the interference to the luckless third-placed Wrappers Delight passing the 400m and suspended him for seven days.
Given Hectorjayjay‘s next run will not be until the February 18 qualifiers for the Miracle Mile at Menangle, it should not hinder Aiken too much.
Aiken has until Tuesday to lodge an appeal.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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