Wednesday 29 October 2014 10:57, UK
Slade Power's participation in the VRC Sprint at Flemington on Saturday week could be in serious doubt after trainer Eddie Lynam discovered the protocol in Melbourne is for horses to be loaded in barrier order.
The five-year-old has had well-documented problems with the starting stalls in the past, but that issue has been eradicated this summer as he has gone into the stalls last ahead of winning the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot and Newmarket's July Cup.
However, Slade Power played up in the stalls ahead of a solo gallop at Flemington on Tuesday morning and Lynam is concerned about the prospect of him being stood in the gates for a prolonged period if he is handed a low draw.
"He had a barrier trial yesterday and, unfortunately, things didn't go good for him. He got very upset in the barrier," said the trainer.
"He's got a couple of nicks and a couple of cuts, but hopefully he's going to be OK.
"We've just got to get him more organised for the big race."
Having spoken with Melbourne officials before making the trip Down Under, the County Meath-based trainer claims he expected that Slade Power would be allowed to be loaded into the starting stalls late.
He told At The Races: "We weren't aware of that (rule) when we were coming over.
"I had spoken to them here and they were well aware that the horse had to go in last.
"That's the way he always goes - last or second last - but there is that procedure over here, so we're going to speak to the stewards here tomorrow and hopefully we'll get something sorted.
"The last time he wasn't placed in (the stalls) last was in the Nunthorpe last year and he went berserk, basically. He hurt himself and ran deplorably.
"From our point of view, if he wasn't to go in late on the big race day, I'd have to think of it as a health-and-safety issue as he could hurt Wayne (Lordan), and we don't want that happening.
"He could also hurt himself, and we don't want that happening, either. He could also hurt the horses each side of him.
"I just don't think we're going to be able to teach him some new tricks in the week that's leading up to what is his career-final race."
Lynam admits Slade Power could be retired if the stewards will not bend.
"Anyone wanting to have a bet on him would be burning their money, so I'd go and talk to my owners and I would imagine we might not be running," he said.
"He could go to Hong Kong - he's had an invite there - or we could just retire him to stud.
"In fairness, he's champion European sprinter.
"We were invited over here, that's why we came. We could have gone to other places, but we came here and were delighted to come here.
"Let's see what happens tomorrow first before we make any decisions.
"Hopefully common sense will prevail."
