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Zac Spain says he is raring to go ahead of his return to the saddle at Geelong on Sunday after spending the past month on the sidelines.
The 24-year-old was outed after failing a breath test on the middle day of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival. It s been a long month, but you live and learn, Spain admitted. It was a clip back to reality. The first person I called was Mick Price, who just said chin up and keep working hard and learn from it. I got away to Mooloolaba with Jordan Childs for a little bit to clear my head then was straight back into trackwork at Caulfield for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and Lloyd Kennewell.
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Jockey Zac Spain has been suspended for a month to take effect immediately after he failed a breath test at Warrnambool on Wednesday.
Spain was stood down immediately from his two rides on the second day of the three-day May Racing Carnival and will not be able to ride at the Thursday meeting after he recorded a reading above the limit set for riders of .02.
Spain had to be replaced by Madison Lloyd on Polanco in the Wangoom Handicap while Damien Thornton took over his ride aboard Exalted Crown in the ninth event.
It is understood that all jockeys that rode at Warrnambool on Wednesday were breath-tested before being permitted to take their mounts.
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There have only been five Group 1 races conducted in Melbourne in 2021 and already, two jockeys have scored their maiden elite-level success, with Teo Nugent sharing the spoils in the Oakleigh Plate and Zac Spain claiming victory in the C.F. Orr Stakes.
James Tzaferis looks at which jockeys might be next to join the club.
Jamie Mott: In my mind, Mott is arguably the most talented jockey in the country who is yet to win a G1. Admittedly, he s had 31 attempts, but most of those have been on horses not fancied in the market. His battles with weight are well publicised and unfortunately restrict his opportunities but if work ethic and sheer talent count for something, his day will surely come soon. His momentum was halted in late 2019 when he broke both legs in a race fall at Cranbourne, but he s wasted little time returning to his old form and already boasts 49 wins for the season. Mott is aligned with the John McArdle stable, so he ll be hoping the Mornington horseman
Dream turns into nightmare for Pakenham punters Dream turns into nightmare for Pakenham punters It wasn t pleasant viewing for Scream Dream backers
Punters were left screaming after the last race at Pakenham on Thursday evening produced arguably the worst beat of 2021 so far.
The fittingly-named Scream Dream was backed from $3.90 into $2.70 to jump a clear favourite in the fillies and mares BM64 handicap over 1400m.
Piloted by Zac Spain, the Kennewell-trained filly jumped well from barrier one but quickly ended up in an awkward spot back on the fence, worse than midfield.
Spain edged away from the rail around the home turn but was snookered between runners and had no racing room at the top of the straight.
Avalon digs deep for second Group One win
3 Mins Read Hearts pumping: The Shane Nichols-trained Streets of Avalon fends off all challenges to win his second Group One race in the C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Supplied Share
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HORSE RACING
SHANE Nichols’ gutsy galloper Streets of Avalon has dug deep to bring up his second Group One victory in Saturday’s C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Having claimed the Group One Futurity Stakes over the same track and trip a year ago, Streets of Avalon once again fought hard to fend off the challenges and land a half-length victory over the Chris Waller-trained Imaging in Saturday’s feature race.