Greig Leach

This may well become the image of this year’s Spring Classics. As Demi Vollering (SD Worx) went off the front in search of the lone leader on the road, a horse broke free and got out onto the race course. Vollering was first warning the TV moto of the danger, but then got a bit frustrated that the horse was slowing down her chase of the American Kristen Faulkner (Jayco-Alula). The horse was clearly spooked by all of the commotion from the racers, the race motors and the helicopters. I was a bit worry when the poor horse slid out on a corner. It did get back up thus allowing Vollering to get back on with the chase. Since painting this, it was nice to see her post on social media expressing her concern for the welfare of her four legged breakaway companion. Given what happened at the end of the race, she could well afford to be generous in her compassion (not that she wouldn’t have been regardless).