Reed Disqualified From Both Codes

Sunday, 31 October 2010 03:37

Popular Western Australian dual-licensed trainer and driver Mark Reed has been disqualified by RWWA stewards for six months after an adjourned inquiry was completed on Thursday.

A pre-race blood sample taken from his leading stayer Gondorff before this year’s $156,000 Listed Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m) on September 18 had a TCO2 concentration level above the permitted 36 millimoles.

An elevated TC02 level reduces the onset of fatigue.

Gondorff, winner of the 2009 Kalgoorlie Cup, eventually finished sixth behind Sunrange but has since been disqualified from the event.

Reed, 30, has trained and driven with distinction in the harness industry for many years.

He drove Another Party to victory in the 2001 A.G Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley and this season has partnered Bonavista Bay to three Group 1 wins in the Golden Nugget, McInerney Ford 4YO Classic at Gloucester Park and in Victoria's Super Sires Series Final at Melton.

In his short training stint with thoroughbreds Reed has pulled off stakes success in the most unorthodox fashion.

Three-year-old filly Peach Tree won a three-year-old handicap at Belmont over 1300 metres from a 6 week freshen-up before the daughter of Bel Esprit – who had not previously raced over 1400 metres - finished second in the Listed Belmont Oaks (2000m) the following Saturday.

On July 17 a fortnight later, Peach Tree won the Listed Belmont Classic (2200m).

He then took four-year-old gelding Whipsaw from a Pinjarra maiden victory over 1600 metres to success in the Listed Bunbury Cup (2200m) at his next start.

Reed’s disqualification from both codes is effective immediately.