Barrier Blunder Causes No-Race At Belmont

Wednesday, 11 August 2010 11:13

Racegoers at Belmont on Wednesday couldn’t believe their eyes as a set a barrier stalls crashed through the outside rail in the home straight while a race was in progress.

The $17,500 Westspeed Stayers 0-68 Handicap (2100m) started at the top of the straight and commenced as per usual.

The field had just made their way into the back straight when the barrier stalls, that were being moved away from their starting position by the barrier operator, accidentally crashed the barriers and adjoining tractor through the outside perimeter fence.

As soon as the incident occurred on-course stewards quickly halted the race using the infield warning system.

“Unfortunately there was human error involved in today’s track incident, concerning the barriers in race four.” Perth Racing CEO Michael Heath said.

“The personnel involved are two of our most experienced track staff.

“The pressure in which they work under in these circumstances is intense and the margin for error is not great.

“I must commend the Track Management team in the manner they were able to manage the risk and present the track in safe condition in time for race five to jump on time.

“There will be a full internal review into today’s incident and measures will be taken to assure there will not be a reoccurrence in the future.” Heath added.

Nobody was injured in the incident and all horses were successfully restrained by their riders prior to the home turn, with the barriers covering a quarter of the outside section of the main straight.

A second set of barrier stalls were used for the remainder of the meeting and a false running rail was installed at the damaged section of the outside rail.