Gold Coast trainer
Toby Edmonds claimed his first win in the time-honoured $160,000 feature sprint
when Havasay scored a tenacious half length win in the 1200 metre dash.Edmonds took over the preparations of the galloper following his third placing in the Group III Healey Stakes due to the horse's long-time trainer Liam Birchley currently being banned from running horses in New South Wales.
Racing NSW stewards invoked Australian Racing Rule 50 on Birchley in February after he was charged by Victorian stewards over his involvement in the long running Aquanita doping scandal.
AR50 reads, stewards "may decline to receive, or at any time after having received, reject any nomination or entry without giving reason for so doing".
Birchley was found guilty in Victoria of the three raceday treatment-related charges and disqualified for a year but throughout the ordeal he's maintained his innocence, denying involvement.
He has appealed the penalty and is currently training in his home state of Queensland under a stay of proceedings.
Havasay's win would have been Birchley's third Ramornie Handicap win, having won the race in 2003 with Sir Breakfast and 2015 with Rock Royalty, but instead the victory goes to Edmonds.
"It's a bit unfortunate for Liam because he's in a spot of bother as you know," Edmonds told Sky Racing.
"He's a good horse and Matt McGillivray rode him terrific."
A $70,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale purchase from the Glenlogan Park draft for MM as agent, Havasay has won eight races and placed 11 times from 31 starts earning over $470,000.
Bred and sold by Glenlogan, Havasay is the first winer from Show a Heart mare Showhama, who has a weanling filly by Zoustar and is in foal to Star Turn.
Havasay is the third stakes-winner for Rothesay, who now stands at Lyndhurst Stud in Queensland at a fee of $4,950.
