MAL Diebert will appeal his eight-week suspension from Riverina Paceway on Sunday.
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The Yanco reinsman was barred for what stewards deemed an improper drive aboard Reddel in the two-year-old race.
Stewards found that near the 100 metres Diebert intentionally shifted his filly in, in an attempt to prevent Menames Needy from improving to his inside in an endeavour to stay ahead of it in the run to the finish. As a result Menames Needy was checked, forced in and bumped sulkies with Floorless, which was inconvenienced.
Menames Needy went on to win by a half neck.
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WESTERN Sonador showed he is still on track for the Regional Championships with a strong win at Riverina Paceway.
One of the leading contenders for the group one series at Wagga next month, Western Sonador went on to down Rocky Creed by a neck with more than 10 metres separating the rest of their rivals.
Trainer Ellen Bartley was thrilled with how he resumed.
"I was very, very happy," Bartley said.
"We will give him a rest this week and go next week as it was a pretty big run and it gives him a chance to get over it before going again."
He is expected to race at Wagga next week in order to meet the conditions for the series.
The Coleambally trainer may have three horses in the running with fellow last start winners Rocky Branach and Brooklyns Best.
Brooklyns Best won her first start since May earlier this month after struggling with tying up issues.
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CORONAVIRUS has forced the NSW Breeders Challenge series to be pushed back.
The series will now be run between September and November with the group one final set down for October 24.
Harness Racing NSW chief executive John Dumesny said the decision was made to provide the opportunity as equally as possible to all eligible two and three year olds.
"Regionalisation and not being permitted to cross the State borders certainly didn't provide that opportunity on the traditional dates," Dumesny said.
"These are unprecedented and difficult circumstances that the Industry finds itself in and the transfer of the Breeders Challenge was the only feasible option to adopt at this time."
The Blue Finals and Regional Series will be held in October and November.
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THE West Wyalong Pacers Cup is the feature of the meeting at Riverina Paceway on Sunday.
With all meetings in the region transferred to Wagga due to the coronavirus crisis, the feature race has has its prizemoney more than halved.
With no Carnival of Cups meeting proceeding instead the race is now worth the regular $6630.
There were 139 nominations received for the meeting with the first of eight races start at 12.35pm.
Wagga also races on Friday with the eight-race card to start at 12.42pm.
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