Courtesy The West Australian website:

CONTROVERSIAL former leading Perth racehorse trainer Greg Harper's application to start gallopers in Melbourne has been rejected by Racing Victoria's licensing officials.

Harper, disqualified four times by WA Turf Club stewards after being charged with breaches of Australian Racing Rules' drug regulations, completed a world-wide ban last year.

Meantime, talented sprinter Inzaghi is holding top form and will step up in class to tackle tomorrow's $40,000 Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) at Ascot. The chestnut has won Ascot races in special conditions company at three of his past four starts.

"Inzaghi faces his toughest test," the four-year-old's trainer and part-owner George Stamenkovic said yesterday. "He has graduated from restricted class racing and is now matched against open company horses. It should be a help that he will carry 52kg, after winning with 57kg last Saturday week. I expect him to again run a top race."

Stamenkovic attributes Inzaghi's winning form to personal attention.

"I feed the horse very well and spend a lot of time with him," the trainer said. "He enjoys being taken for walks from his stable."

Quality sprinter Fireband, an impressive last-start winner, is likely to be heavily backed in the Flower Stakes.

"He's doing extra well on beachwork," Fireband's trainer George Daly said yesterday.

The gelding is also aimed for next month's $40,000 Chaff City Classic (1300m) at Pinjarra and the $60,000 Comfort Inn Bunbury Stakes (1400m). The $50,000 Clark Rubber Bonus is on offer for a horse that wins the Flower Stakes, Chaff City Classic and Bunbury Stakes.

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Ta me go maith