The final Carnival contenders arrive

THE final group of international contenders for the spring carnival arrived safely on Saturday. Just after midday Adelaide, Au Revoir, Gatewood, Royal Diamond and Slade Power landed with the Godolphin pair of Cavalryman and Willing Foe arriving in a separate plane later. The seven new horses bring the number of internationally-trained horses at the Werribee Quarantine facility to 23.

Racing stunned by jockey deaths

TWENTY SIX-year-old Carly-Mae Pye has lost her life after ‘a horrific fall’ in a Rockhampton barrier trial in Queensland on Monday. Placed in an induced coma after the fall Carly-Mae’s life-support was turned off on Tuesday afternoon at Rockhampton Base Hospital. “Carly-Mae was a true champion of our sport, who will be remembered as a brilliant horsewoman,” said Racing Queensland CEO Darren Condon.

“The racing community, particularly in Rockhampton, is in mourning this evening and Racing Queensland will continue to offer its support during this difficult time.”

There was further tragedy two days later when jockey Caitlin Forrest has died from injuries sustained in a four-horse pile up at Murray Bridge racecourse near Adelaide on Wednesday. She was 19.

The Australian apprentice was reportedly semi-conscious and responsive when she was airlifted to Royal Adelaide Hospital, but her condition deteriorated and she died on Wednesday night.

Forrest’s mount was reported to have been leading when it broke down, causing three other horses to fall.