Weld and Smullen see red as Grey Swallow misses out

A frightening starting stalls incident involving the hot favourite for the opening race at the Curragh last night left Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen fuming.Grey Swallow, a 1 to 2 favourite for the seven-furlong maiden, had to be withdrawn after rearing over violently in the stalls.

The newcomer had been standing next to Chestnut Gallinule at the start when the latter panicked and tried to climb sideways out of his stall.

That in turn set off Grey Swallow who ended up straddled sideways into the stall adjoining him and depositing Smullen who luckily emerged unscathed.

The race eventually fell to the 12 to 1 shot Kanisfluh but the post-race focus was on Weld and Smullen who were unhappy and engaged in prolonged discussions with the stewards.

"The horse is stiff and sore but alive which is the main thing but what annoys me is that this could have been avoided if the horse had been put in last," said Weld.

"I asked permission from the registry office, which I rarely do, to have a very special two-year-old put in last, for the good of racing and in the interests of the horses and the jockeys' safety. But I was turned down.

"My horse walked in perfectly but I knew if one got upset he would lose his short fuse and that's what happened.

"The other thing that annoyed me is the shortage of stalls handlers. There were only five there. There should be a minimum of seven," Weld added.

Smullen said: "More lads are needed at the start in the interests of safety. They would mean we could load more quickly and get help if we need it."

However the stewards declared that no request had been heard by the acting stewards, and that only animals with a history of stalls related problems are loaded late. They added that appraisals will be made of the composition of the stalls team.

The incident deflected some attention from the €130,000 Goffs Challenge but it was the Brian Meehan trained Carrizo Creek who rewarded a dash from Newmarket by Kieren Fallon.

The champion jockey flew over by light plane and secured a dream run up the rail to put a length and a half between himself and Danesmead in second.

It was a first Curragh winner for Meehan who said: "He's a fairly serious horse. The July Stakes might be too soon but he's very, very good."

The night ended well for Weld and Smullen whose Creux Noir won the 10-furlong handicap.