Previously unbeaten filly Miss Labasa finished unplaced in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, but her trainer John Bary wasn’t disappointed with his filly’s run.

 

“She pulled up really well and travelled home well,” Bary said. “I’m not disappointed at all. We felt like there was no pace and we were going to ride her forward. 

 

“He (jockey Jonathan Parkes) squeezed her up out of the gates to get her there and everything went to plan until they put the brakes on. She was just hard on the steel the whole way for Jonathan, he said she never relaxed.

 

“At that top level everything has to go your way. She was just a bit strong and you can’t do it at both ends, so it’s unfortunate.”

 

Bary was philosophical about the result and is looking forward to continuing his charge on a Classic campaign, which will culminate with a tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March.

 

“It was only her fourth start and she was racing against probably the best three-year-old field that has gone around this season” Bary said.

 

“It bodes well, she travelled well. We will just regroup and go to the Lowland and the Oaks and just keep going forward.”

 

 

 

Triple Group One-winning mare Melody Belle will have a change of rider when she competes in the Gr.1 BCD Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 9.

 

With the unavailability of regular riders Shafiq Rusof and Opie Bosson, Te Akau have engaged former stable apprentice Troy Harris to ride the daughter of Commands. 

 

“With Opie Bosson suspended and Shafiq Rusof returned to Singapore, the management team had a fresh look at all options and we decided to engage Troy,” Fortuna syndicate manager John Galvin said. 

 

“Troy has had issues with his weight over the years, but he is fine now and riding well and we are looking forward to having him aboard.” 

 

Galvin is pleased to have engaged Harris and said he is hoping the partnership can add to their Group One tally after combining to win the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) with Tell A Tale.

 

 

 

Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir has been arrested along with two others during a police raid of his Victorian stables where a gun and taser were seized.

 

Victoria Police and Racing Victoria raided stables at Miners Rest and Warrnambool from 6am on Wednesday.

 

Three people have been arrested including Weir, 48, a 38-year-old Yangery man and a 26-year-old Warrnambool man.

 

"They will now be interviewed in relation to sporting integrity matters," a Victoria Police statement read.

 

Those matters include obtaining financial advantage by deception, engaging in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome and use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes.

 

The force said several items were seized including a firearm and conductive energy device (Taser).

 

Racing Victoria said it had been investigating "the activities of licensed persons" and brought in Victoria Police.

 

"During the course of our investigation, we sought the support of Victoria Police's sporting integrity intelligence unit on the matter, instigating their investigation," executive general manager of integrity Jamie Stier said in a statement.

 

"As the matters are the subject of on-going investigations by Victoria Police and Racing Victoria we are not at liberty at this time to disclose the identities of the persons arrested nor the details of the investigations.

 

"Racing Victoria is committed to maintaining the highest integrity standards in our sport and, where appropriate, we will continue to work with Victoria Police on those investigations."

 

Weir is one of Australia's best-known horse trainers and was behind the 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince of Penzance.

 

He's Australia's most prolific and successful trainer.

 

Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula said the investigation showed authorities were enforcing rules "without fear or favour".

 

"As minister for racing and a racing lover, I'm committed to maintaining the integrity of our sport and any allegations of breaches are extremely disappointing," he said in a statement.