The Patinack Farm dispersal sale at the Gold Coast may not be all it seems after 15 horses listed to be offered this week were declared acceptors for the Stradbroke Handicap meeting at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The 15 horses, all trained by John Thompson for Patinack Farm principal Nathan Tinkler, are entered for the Magic Millions racehorses in training sale on Friday 7th June.
It was suggested early this week that Tinkler, despite previously announcing his intention to withdraw from racing, would be retaining or buying back a number of horses from the National Sale, principally from the racehorses he has entered for Friday’s session.
Racing Queensland stewards moved quickly today to clarify the standing of the Thompson-trained horses that have been declared acceptors for Saturday’s meeting.
The stewards ruled that any Patinack Farm horses intending to start at Eagle Farm on Saturday cannot be offered on Friday as any sale could represent a phantom transaction.
The ruling means the horses Tinkler wants to retain and start on Saturday must be withdrawn from Friday’s sale.
Magic Millions announced that it was attempting to confirm the status of all the Patinack Farm entries for Friday’s sale and would issue an updated list of withdrawals later this week.
Source : AAP