Denton Hall News

'These things happen - but lessons should be learned' says Dods after late Newcastle abandonment

TRAINER Michael Dods says the right decision was eventually made in abandoning today’s meeting at Newcastle – but hopes lessons can be learned for the future.

Newcastle’s all-weather card was called off less than half an hour before the first race, sparking frustration among jockeys, trainers and racegoers who had gone to the expense of travelling.

Dods, who trains at Denton, near Darlington, was due to have two runners – Abruzzo Mia, the favourite, in the first race at 1.09pm, and Motawaazy in the fifth race.

He arrived at the track around 12.40pm and was surprised to be told that an inspection was taking place, before going to check the conditions for himself.

“It was clear to me straight away that there was no chance of racing and I spoke to some of the jockeys who’d also been out to have a look, but weren’t part of the official inspection, and that was their clear view too,” said Dods, who has had his best-ever season in terms of prize money.

“These things happen in sport. You can get caught out by the British weather, and that’s what’s happened, but I think lessons should be learned.

“It’s very late in the day to be calling it off when horses have travelled from as far afield as Lambourn and Newmarket. The were working the track from first light but, when you get a forecast like this, maybe they should be working it through the night. That might be costly but it has to be balanced against the costs of all those who’ve travelled.”

Clerk of the Course, Eloise Quayle, insisted that, in the opinion of course officials, the meeting could have gone ahead.

"We've done absolutely everything that we could in preparation for this meeting. The track has been worked since Thursday, this morning it's been going on since first light. We've been working endlessly to keep it mobile," she said.

"There isn't much moisture in the surface having ripped it and we don't feel there has been a problem with freezing.

"But we've got to take into account other people's opinions and it has to be taken seriously if there are any doubts. We've come to the conclusion that they didn't want to race on it and that is fine."

However, Dods responded by saying: “Instead of trying to defend it, I think you get more respect if you just hold up your hands and say, ‘on this occasion, we’ve been caught out’”. The bottom line is that they couldn't have raced – and safety has to be everyone’s priority.”

The trainer said he would definitely have withdrawn Abruzzo Mia because that race was due to be run over a mile, and shade created by trees at the side of that part of the track had made the ground worse. It was also “highly likely” he would have withdrawn Motawaazy (pictured below) from the six-furlong sprint once he'd had discussions with connections.

ITV Racing had taken the decision to switch their cameras to Newcastle after the earlier abandonment of turf jump meetings at Cheltenham and Doncaster.

Newcastle is due to stage an additional fixture tomorrow, which is due to start at 12.08pm, and Quayle is hopeful the meeting will go ahead but will be holding an inspection at 7.30am.