Details emerge of St Marys Pacing Cup crash

The key moments from a harness racing crash which catapulted one driver into the air have been released in a stewards report after the incident. Here’s what happened.

Mark Yole alleges he was assaulted at Carrick. File picture.

Racing officials have released details surrounding the crashed that caused the St Mary’s Pacing Cup to be abandoned on New Year’s Day.

Seven of the nine runners fell after colliding while the drivers were removed from their sulkies.

In a stewards report released earlier this week, the key moments leading up to the collision were detailed.

“As the field raced out of the home straight on the first occasion Rossini (Todd Rattray), which was racing in a four wide position and commencing to shift down the track to sit one wide, attempted to jump the crossing and in consequence knuckled on landing falling across the track, dislodging Mr Rattray who contacted the sulky of Gordievsy Leis before landing heavily on the track,” the report said.

“As a consequence, Brodie Davis (Bold Centurian), Mark Yole (Andaman Bay), made contact with Rossini before falling and dislodging both drivers, and severely checking Puntarno Stride (Nathan Ford) who was racing in a three wide position to their outside.

“Denwen Dancer (Dylan Ford) despite the efforts of its driver also contacted the fallen horses, dislodging its driver.

Rockandahardplace who was following Andaman Bay contacted that horse before falling and causing driver Gareth Rattray to be thrown from the sulky and land heavily on the track.

“Check In (Mitch Ford) despite the efforts of its driver attempted to jump the fallen horses, dislodging its driver who also fell heavily onto the track.”

The report also revealed Gareth Rattray and Mark Yole had been stood down for 12 days in line with Tasracing’s harness driver concussion policy.

The pair have also been stood down pending medical clearance.

On Wednesday, Yole posted an update to his Twitter account after the incident.

“A quick update as most would know by now I was involved in a race on New Year’s Day. After being knocked out and neck pain, I have been cleared of any serious injuries, I am now home resting,” he wrote.

“Thankyou to everyone that reached out and supported on the day, I really appreciate it.”

Todd Rattray, Mitch Ford and Brodie Davis were also stood down pending medical clearances.

The stewards report also revealed Andaman Bay had suffered a “minor injury” in the crash which was reported by trainer Ben Yole after a post-meeting vet check.

EARLIER

Tasmanian harness racing has been rocked by two incidents across the long weekend with stewards now investigating.

At the Carrick New Year’s Eve meeting on Sunday, driver Mark Yole alleges he was assaulted by another race participant following the sixth race on the card.

Yole had driven James Cagney, a horse trained by his brother Ben, to victory, before the alleged incident.

The stewards’ report from the meeting has provided limited detail of what occurred.

“Driver Mark Yole reported to stewards an incident that occurred in the parade ring at the conclusion of this race as horses were leaving the track, alleging he was physically assaulted by another participant. Stewards have adjourned the inquiry until a later date,” the report said.

On Monday, the St Marys Pacing Cup was abandoned after a crash which saw seven of the nine runners falling and losing their driver.

Three drivers were taken to hospital including Gareth Rattray, who was catapulted several metres in the air.

He was cleared of serious injury after being taken to hospital and discharged that night.

Yole, who was allegedly assaulted just 24 hours earlier, was also taken to hospital for scans but was given the all clear.

Brodie Davis was cleared of any damage to his ankle after he was taken to hospital for treatment by family.

The scene of the crash at St Marys.

All horses involved in the incident were also cleared of serious injury.

The circumstances of the fall will be subject to a stewards inquiry.

“Not sure where to start but firstly our thoughts and well wishes go to the guys injured today and to the owners and trainers of the horses involved, it’s always concerning with any falls in races,” St Mary’s Pacing Club said on its Facebook page.

“On a club front thank you to all the people that came along today, our day was going perfectly until our incident.

“As a club we are very grateful for your attendance and hope you all enjoyed your day.”

The seventh race was also abandoned following the crash.

A spokesperson for St Mary’s Pacing Club said the club did not want to provide further comment.

Footage of the incident would not be made public with an investigation pending.