Port Augusta racehorse injured by submerged barbed wire alongside Joy Baluch Bridge

An SA racehorse nearly drowned after it was snared by barbed wire hidden under the water at a children’s swimming spot. Now it’s owner wants compo.

A Port Augusta racehorse owner is demanding compensation from the Transport Department after a submerged barbed wire fence next to the Joy Baluch Bridge injured his horse.

The horse’s handlers battled to prevent the animal from drowning when it became entangled in the fence late last week, but it was badly slashed and will not be able to race for weeks.

Owner Trevor Montgomerie said the fence was entirely covered by a high tide at the time of the injury to the horse, A Thousand Degrees.

But after he complained to contractors working on a project to duplicate the bridge, temporary fluoro road markers were installed to mark the fence.

The wire fence, visible along the Joy Baluch Bridge. Picture: Supplied.

The injury to racehorse 1000 degrees, which trainer Trevor Montgomerie says was sustained when it ran into barbed wire that was underwater. Picture: Supplied.

“This is next to the city’s swimming beach and picnic area – but there was nobody there at the time – so kids are also put and risk and could have been tangled or drowned,” Mr Montgomerie said. “Anyone on a boat going through the area could also get in trouble.

“We have a lot of money tied up in the horse and he is all cut up now.

“He ran fourth at Balaklava the other day after a spell, and we were setting up him for the Pioneer Sprint in Alice Springs, and that is a $100,000 race.

“If they just had buoys out there, or floats, people would have some warning.”

As a yearling, A Thousand Degrees sold for $280,000 and Mr Montgomerie said he turned down an offer of $30,000 last month.

The $200m bridge duplication project is jointly funded by the state and federal governments. The fencing, to the west of the bridge, is designed to stop thieves accessing workers’ equipment.

Port Augusta racehorse owner Trevor Montgomerie with his horse 1000 degrees. Picture: supplied.

A Transport Department spokesman said it was investigating the incident.