Stathi Katsidis will ride Shellscrape for Chris Waller in the Grp 1 BTC Cup on Saturday. Stewards decided this after a hearing in which Gold Cst trainer Gillian Heinrichs sought to hold SK to the ride on Ghetto Blaster. She reckoned he had a commitment for him to ride Ghetto Blaster throughout his winter campaign, including the Doomben sprint. Chief stipe Wade Birch says: 'We considered all the evidence and the stewards couldn't be satisfied that there was a firm engagement between Gillian Heinr
Stathi Katsidis will ride Shellscrape for Chris Waller in the Grp 1 BTC Cup on Saturday. Stewards decided this after a hearing in which Gold Cst trainer Gillian Heinrichs sought to hold SK to the ride on Ghetto Blaster. She reckoned he had a commitment for him to ride Ghetto Blaster throughout his winter campaign, including the Doomben sprint. Chief stipe Wade Birch says: 'We considered all the evidence and the stewards couldn't be satisfied that there was a firm engagement between Gillian Heinrich and Stathi Katsidis so he will ride Shellscrape.'
Is there now bad blood between Heinrichs and SK? According to her, no. She says: 'I'm very disappointed but there are no hard feelings...I'm glad it's sorted out now but I'm not happy about it. It works for one horse and not the other...No one rang me about Military Rose every time she ran to check who was on her next start, but the ball game has changed and I'll be confirming jockeys after every start from now on.' From this statement it's clear that Heinrichs has emerged from the rumpus with a grudge, probably more against SK's agent than the rider himself. There seems to have been a big communications gap between all parties.