Trainer Tony Vasil launched a scathing attack on jockey Lauren Stojakovic after interference cost his star colt Prince Harada a shot at victory in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Prince Harada is a chance to contest the Group 1 Golden Rose in Sydney after finishing second in the McNeil Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Prince Harada had his winning chances crushed at the 100 metre mark after Stojakovic permitted Miracles Of Life to shift in under riding and significantly check Prince Harada, who still managed to finish second behind Fast ‘N’ Rocking.
Both Stojakovic and Brett Prebble, who started the problems when he allowed Fast ‘N’ Rocking to shift into Miracles Of Life, were suspended for twelve meetings for careless riding but it was Stojakovic who felt the fury of Vasil after the race.
“This is a major race and we have the situation of an apprentice who can hardly get a good ride in South Australia coming here and stuffing it up for others,” Vasil told News Limited.
“You would like to think at carnival time that the best horses are ridden by the best jockeys, not that a mature-aged apprentice from interstate can come here with so few credentials and play such a key role in the outcome of race.”
The Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) has always been the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival goal for Prince Harada but Vasil is now considering taking the talented son of Haradasun to Sydney for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 14 due to a lack of appropriate lead-up races for the Guineas in Melbourne.
“It is disappointing that you must look interstate to properly prepare for Victoria’s most prestigious three-year-old race,” Vasil said.
“We ran over 1200 metres on Saturday and the next genuine option is the Caulfield Guineas Prelude over 1400 metres and that is four weeks away.”
Prince Harada was not originally included in the nominations for the Golden Rose and connections would have to pay a $50,000 late-entry fee to get the three-year-old into the race.
McNeil Stakes winner Fast ‘N’ Rocking ($4.8) is now the favourite in 2013 Golden Rose betting markets from Chris Waller-trained Zoustar and The Run To The Rose runner-up Dissident.
