There was drama in the heats of the SIS Yorkshire St Leger over 661 metres at Doncaster on Wednesday when the third heat was declared void.
Joint favourite Pond Natalya came out of trap one and turned left into the infield through a three to four metre gap in the inside rail. The hare was stopped on the second bend in the interests of safety and the race declared void.
Amazingly the large gap was left open for the remaining heats. Many tracks used a temporary barrier, which can be removed to allow the removal of the starting traps from the track.
The heat is planned to be re-run at Saturday’s afternoon meeting with the draw for the three semis taking place afterwards.
Defending champion Roxholme Poppy got off to a winning start in the fifth heat. Hayley Keightley’s bitch was led to the third turn by Ballymac Zorro by swept past to score by almost seven lengths in 41.85sec.
The fastest time of the night was recorded by Kent St Leger winner Antigua Fire who was a trap to line winner of the last qualifier when seeing off Affleck Bolt by just over five lengths in 41.67sec.
There was a surprise in the opening qualifier when odds-on Droopys Live was beaten. Yarmouth raider Good Karma went clear from the opening turn and although challenged by the favourite from the penultimate turn the son of Kinloch Brae kept on for victory by half a length in 42.04sec.
Sonic Spur made a winning six-bend debut in the second qualifier. Chris Aker’s bitch went some eight lengths clear at one point only to tread water up the home straight but she still had a length to spare over the fast finishing Sheldan in 42.08sec.
Veteran Goldies Hotspur landed the fourth qualifier. Brut Blanc went into a clear lead but the petrol light came on from the penultimate turn and Goldies Hotspur came through to lead off the last turn and beat the running on Brigadier Bullet by two and a half lengths in 42.68.
