Jockey Matthew McGillivray should consider himself very fortunate to be only serving a month's suspension for the carnage he caused in the Magic Millions Classic.
Stewards opted for a careless riding charge rather than the higher charge of reckless riding that could have easily been sustained.
The stewards inquiry into the first 200m of the $2 million race was one of the quietest conducted as fellow jockeys let the video tell their story. The three other jockeys were asked if they had anything to add after viewing the video and all declined.
Hugh Bowman on Jonker was lucky to stay on his feet as he got inside the line of the fence while horses came from 1200m chute on the course proper and he ran along the plastic rail for several metres.
The chain-reaction effect of McGillivray's single-mindedness to lead saw horses being forced wider back in the field. Often interference is subtle but this was clear for everyone to see from the stands and it was all because of the actions of one jockey.
McGillivray could only offer that he was intent on leading as he came across from the wide gate and he didn't realise the problems he was causing until it was too late. Stewards said the fact he turned the head of Ef Troop after the damage was done saved him from the higher charge.
He got a month's suspension, the standard penalty for causing a fall, but was allowed to keep his riding fee and percentage from running fourth, a position he only reached because of the interference he had caused to others.
Reckless riding would have been a more severe penalty and at the very least a fine should have been added to his month's suspension.
Virtues of acclimatising
The path to the Magic Millions meeting is better if you are in the Sunshine State for the lead-ups as Sunlight, Pierata and Care To Think showed on Saturday.
Five of the six winners of million-dollar races on the card had spent their preparation up north and it is likely the lead-up program will be strengthened by Racing Queensland next year.
"I think being up here made a big difference," Ton McEvoy said of Magic Millions Classic winner Sunlight. "She is in a routine and was used to the conditions."
Chris Waller, who had a Magic Millions double, said his Gold Coast stable played a big role in Invincibella winning in the Fillies And Mares.
"I think what we are learning is that you need to be up here to give your horses a chance to acclimatise and have their best chance," Waller said.
Aquantina inquiry to grow
The pain from the Aquantina scandal might just be beginning as the scope of the inquiry will surely reveal who else was aware of what appears to be systematic cheating.
Trainers Robert Smerdon and Stuart Webb and two other Aquantina staff have been stood down after the 271 charges laid by Racing Victoria stewards this week.
Phone data is going to play a big role in this inquiry and with the stewards laying charges for betting already, anyone who was aware of treatments and betting should be worried.
Viddora to showcase speed
Lloyd Kennewell has achieved the two goals he had set for Viddora after she missed a run in the inaugural Everest and is focused on being at Randwick in October for this year's $13 million showcase.
Viddora has won a group 1 in the Winterbottom Stakes and was simply too classy in the Magic Millions Snippets on Saturday.
"There are plenty of options for her but our focus is getting into The Everest," Kennewell said. "Whatever decisions we make from now on is about being at her best for the race in October.
"She has showed she is the best sprinting mare in the country and we would like the chance to prove she is the best sprinter in the country."
Hard-luck story
If you are looking for one to follow out of the Gold Coast meeting on Saturday, look no further than maiden runner-up Shesees Everything.
Jim Byrne came back with an unusual hard-luck story on the Tony Gollan-trained filly.
"The ear muffs had to be removed inside the barriers and when they unclipped them, they unclipped the blinkers as well," he said.
"They put the blinkers back on over my reins. I virtually had no steering the whole way. We had the outside gate and a bit against us but that threw a bit more of a curve ball against us."
Unfortunately the maiden will not be worth $250,000 next time.
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