Wet weather, poor visibility ends Doomben

The Doomben meeting was abandoned after three races because of poor visibility for jockeys on Saturday.

Jockeys felt the surface was safe but their vision was compromised.

Chief steward Alan Reardon spoke with riders in the third event who reported they had trouble seeing for much of the race.

“Jeff Lloyd (who rode What’s That) was back last and said he couldn’t see anything. There is more rain coming and it is starting seep up through the track,” Reardon said.

Doomben only had about 12mm of rain until the abandonment but it had been consistent drizzle.

Ballina trainer Stephen Lee showed he would be a force in Brisbane when he opens a Gold Coast satellite stable soon.

Lee’s tough gelding Anton En Avant ($9) out slogged a handy field of stayers to beat My Giuliano ($5.50).

In recent years Lee has made many successful trips to Brisbane with his team but feels he can be even more competitive with a base closer to metropolitan racing.

“We will keep Ballina going but the Gold Coast is only an hour up the road and I intend to have 10 to 15 horses there for at least the summer,” he said.

“It should be a help with race day travel and training.”

Anton En Avant has been a great money spinner, winning his 11th race and going past $300,000 in prize money with Saturday’s victory.

“He is a tough old horse and he likes wet tracks and 2200 metres,” Lee said.

Trainer Less Ross was happy the races went ahead for three events after Sister Patti ($12) won the Paspaley Handicap (1200m).

“It was my first winner is three months. I have had a terrible trot but she deserved a win as much as me,” Ross said.