Queensland’s chief steward Wade Birch has confirmed officials will view television footage of Gai Waterhouse talking to stable jockeys Nash Rawiller and Tommy Berry before Saturday’s controversial Magic Millions protest.
But Birch said he did not know if anything could be gained from watching the film.
“We will look at the footage,” Birch said.
“I would be surprised if anything came of it.
“We can’t assume or presume anything and I don’t think there is sound with the footage.”
Berry, who was second across the line on Driefontein, eventually won the race after he protested successfully against Nash Rawiller, the rider of Waterhouse-trained stablemate No Looking Back.
But the 20-year-old only lodged the protest after urging from stewards who told him if he did not, they would.
The protest was upheld on the grounds that interference suffered to Driefontein when No Looking Back shifted out in the final 100 metres cost her the race.
Berry told Sky Racing Waterhouse had wanted him to be “100 per cent confident” he could win the protest before he went ahead.
“I’m only young and it was difficult,” Berry said.
“It was hard because the owners of No Looking Back are good supporters of mine.
“But it came down to the owners of my horse and in the end I made the right decision for my owners.”
Driefontein is raced by a syndicate put together by Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds while No Looking Back’s major owner is Sydney businessman Nick Vass.
Waterhouse said she felt for the owners of No Looking Back but was looking forward to getting both fillies to the Golden Slipper in April.
“I felt so sorry for them but great joy for Denise and Driefontein,” she said.
“You can’t do anything about it. That’s life and we move on.”
As well as producing the quinella in the $2 million race in the Gold Coast, Waterhouse ended the week as the leading buyer at the Magic Millions sale.
AAP TURF
