Prentice banned for Oaks
Reinsman Kim Prentice has received a 28-day suspension and been replaced by Ryan Warwick behind Racey American in tonight's Garrards WA Oaks Prelude (2536m) at Gloucester Park.
Prentice was found guilty of an unacceptable drive of the Gary Hall-trained Dashing Christian ($12.70) when third to stablemate and $1.60 favourite Soho Valencia last Friday week.
Racey American, an impressive third for Prentice over 1730m at Gloucester Park on April 1, has promise and trainer Kevin Keys is targeting the $150,000 WA Oaks (2536m) on May 9.
Racing and Wagering WA chief trotting steward Carl Coady said Prentice's suspension started after an inquiry on Tuesday and he was ineligible to drive Racey American.
Stewards quizzed Prentice on his tactics behind Dashing Christian about 450m from the finish of the Princi Pace (2130m).
"We asked why Dashing Christian was not moved out to make a run when in fourth position at the 450m," Coady said.
"He stayed in the one-wide line and was held up until the home turn."
Prentice pleaded not guilty and said Dashing Christian had an ideal run behind Lovers Delight, who he decided to keep trailing.
Prentice will miss two $100,000 Sales Classics next Friday in addition to the Oaks.
The Hall-trained Alta Christiano is nominal favourite for tonight's Garrards Easter Cup (2902m) despite a lack of experience under the race's standing-start conditions.
Alta Christiano has raced once from a stand in a 13-start career.
"He was unplaced in New Zealand from a standing start," Hall said. "Alta Christiano began safely, but then broke gait.
"It is believed he broke up when sustaining a leg injury.
"I'm confident Alta Christiano, who's relaxed and intelligent, will begin well in his first WA standing start race."
Hokonui Ben and This Time Dylan loom as genuine threats in the Easter Cup.
A cold recently interrupted Hokonui Ben's preparation and he was racing for the first time in a month when winning last Friday's Sky Big Sports Breakfast TV Pace (2130m).
Trainer-reinsman Aldo Cortopassi said Hokonui Ben missed work while recovering from the cold.
This Time Dylan, trained by Michael Brennan, finished powerfully to run second to Hokonui Ben last Friday and should be suited to 2902m tonight.
Brennan's stable star Im Victorious, who severed a tendon in last month's Sydney Inter Dominion Final, continues to recover and should be ready to return to WA next month.
"He's responding well to physiotherapy," Brennan said.
"We hope to have him home within six weeks."
"We asked why Dashing Christian was not moved out to make a run when in fourth position …" " RWWA chief trotting steward *Carl Coady *
