Owners Explore Legal Options After Scratching

OWNERS of top flight sprinter Shima Breeze are exploring their legal options after the daughter of Fernando Bale was sensationally withdrawn from last Thursday's Group 1 Sapphire Crown heats at Sandown Park.

Set to take her place in heat three of the bitches only feature, the three-time group race placegetter was second favourite behind Black Opium before being scratched due to veterinary advice just minutes before the scheduled start time.

"To say we are angry and disappointed would be an understatement," said co-owner Tim Aloisi.

"We are very disappointed with not only the decision but the way it's been handled; we will be lodging a complaint with GRV on Monday morning and seeking legal advice from there."

Trained by Rob Camilleri and Deb Coleman, Shima Breeze has enjoyed a fabulous career, responsible for 19 race wins and over $100,000 in stake earnings.

And with retirement fast approaching, connections were confident their brilliant speedster was poised for a strong showing in the group 1 feature.

"She got spiked at her last run two weeks ago at Bendigo," Aloisi said.

"Her last two trials at Geelong going into Thursday night were as good as she's gone. She was flying. Black Opium was going to be hard to beat but her record from boxes one and two is sensational so we gave ourselves a good chance.

"Deb kenneled Shima Breeze on Thursday night with no problems at all … over the table fine. The spike wound had scabbed over perfect and wasn't an issue.

"Then when Deb's got her out for the race the vet has looked at the foot again and noticed the scab had come off. So it had that pinkish look to it, all part of the healing process.

"The vet has looked at it and tried to draw blood from it but nothing, it was perfectly fine. Yet the decision was still made to make her a late scratching."

Still reeling from the decision, shattered connections elected to have Shima Breeze revetted at Geelong on Friday night in the hope of getting some clarity on the issue and have the 10-day stand day period revoked.

Following veterinary examination, connections received an email that said:

Dear ROBERT CAMILLERI,

Please be advised that your greyhound SHIMA BREEZE was revetted at Geelong on 08/05/2020. As a result of this revet, the greyhound's penalty is revoked and it is cleared to race from today's date.

Veterinary Services, Greyhound Racing Integrity Unit
Greyhound Racing Victoria

"But then I spoke to Deb around 9.30pm on Friday night and she told me that she hadn't been cleared and was swabbed as well. So we don't know what's going on!"

Furious about the turn of events, Aloisi will be seeking answers on Monday.

"The amount of people we've had come to us in total disbelief that she was scratched for something so minor has been astounding," Aloisi said.

"Rob and Deb wouldn't have had her at the races if she wasn't right to go and the vets have cleared her across the table.

"We're really disappointed and dumbfounded with the situation and feel sorry for the dog more than anything. She's near the end of her career and races like that don't come along every day.

"We'll lodge a formal complaint Monday and decide where we go from there. But we won't be just letting it go I can promise that."

* GRV have been contacted for comment