Alabama Lass, the favourite in the Group Three Haunui Farm King’s Plate at Ellerslie Racecourse in New Zealand, dramatically crashed through a running rail just 100 metres from the finish line while appearing set to win.
The mare reacted when jockey Sam Collett gave her a tap with the whip, causing her to flash her tail, duck sharply to the right and attempt to jump off the course. Collett had no chance of staying aboard, leaving Sweynesday to claim victory.
Trainer Roger James expressed sympathy for owners Ken and Bev Kelso, who missed out on another win with the quirky but talented Alabama Lass, who has earned over $1 million in her career. James noted that Sweynesday was not well weighted and started from the outside barrier.
Sweynesday's jockey Masa Hashizum acknowledged that Alabama Lass would likely have finished first, but said his mount had the luck on the day. Both Alabama Lass and Collett were reported to be unharmed in the incident.
The drama occurred during a Champions Day card that also saw winners of the $4 million NZB Kiwi and the $1.25 million New Zealand Derby survive protests to hold onto their victories.
