'Done with WA' after Ms Funovits death

Perth Turf Talk | Metropolitan Racing | Fri 26 April, 2013

Managing-owner Phil Sly has vowed never to race a horse in WA again after a preliminary autopsy report on Ms Funovits failed to explain her sudden death before the start of last Saturday's WA Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m).

Sly, who spent $5000 to have security guards monitor Ms Funovits before her Karrakatta Plate win and the Sires', said yesterday that Murdoch Veterinary Hospital's initial report revealed bruising to the filly's organs, but could not determine the cause of her death.

Sly, who has bought at Perth yearling sales and previously raced other horses in WA, stopped short of saying Ms Funovits was nobbled, but said her death was suspicious.

He also said trainer John Sadler had no intention of returning to WA again after claiming Racing and Wagering WA stewards and Perth Racing officials ignored him following Ms Funovits' death.

The Reset filly dropped jockey Ben Melham en route to the barriers last weekend, before running into the 1500m chute, where she crashed into the fencing and died.

Chief steward Brad Lewis said stewards had followed the instructions of Sadler's racing manager Troy Corstens at Ascot on Sires' day that he was to be their contact on matters concerning the autopsy and investigation.

"Mr Corstens was the manager on the day and he told us every- thing was to go through him," Lewis said. "Geoff Johnson (investigator) has spoken to Mr Sly.

"We are not prepared to make any comment on the autopsy until all of the tests have been exhausted.

"Ms Funovits' cells and tissues are also being examined and the WA Chem Lab is testing her blood samples. The full results should be known in about three weeks."

Sly said he and the other owners were upset by comments from a person in the committee room and during the presentation for Ms Funovits' Karrakatta win.

"We were told we were not wanted here and our win would only bring more interstaters to take their money," Sly said.

"It was made plainly clear what was thought of us winning.

"I am not one to beat it up and told the other owners not to take any notice as I know 99 per cent of West Australians are not like that.

"I have spoken to several leading trainers in Victoria and they have never seen a two-year-old die like that before a race.

"You had Texan die the same way only a few months before.

"The report shows it wasn't organ failure, so has she been tampered with? Whether there was a cheat involved or she died of a natural act, the whole affair has left a black cloud over WA racing."

Sly was most critical of PR for televising Ms Funovits' final moments across the course.

The West

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