Two workers had a lucky escape after race barriers fell into a trackside lake at Sandown racecourse in Australia on Saturday. The accident happened after the seventh race, a handicap over 2,400 meters won by Straand Deal, as the structure was being moved from the top of the home straight.
Incident Details
The barriers were being reversed by an on-course tractor when they plunged into the lake, submerged in water. The ground was later changed to heavy due to inclement weather. Two attendants on the barriers were checked by medical staff and found to be unharmed.
Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery said via Racenet: "I've never seen a set of barriers go through a fence and into a lake before with two gentlemen on the back of it. Both were examined by medical staff and are absolutely fine. It's a fair drop too, probably a 4 or 5-meter drop, so they're lucky."
Another set of barriers was brought in for the next race amid windy and rainy conditions in Melbourne.
Trainer's Comments
Straand Deal's trainer Lloyd Kennewell is considering whether to aim for the Listed Caloundra Cup at Sunshine Coast on July 4 or give the horse a break. "He's a nice stayer in the making," Kennewell said on justhorseracing.com.au. "He might be a horse that can get into a nice race off a lightweight as he's got so much more to give. You have to dream big in this industry."
