Perth Turf TalkStewards yesterday concluded an Inquiry into the reason for JEWELLED (W. Pike) receiving interference near the 200m in Race 6, the Burswood Entertainment Complex-W.A. Oaks (2400m) run at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 4 April 2009.
Evidence was taken from Jockeys W. Pike and P. Harvey (ADMIRING). At the request of Jockey P. Harvey, statements were also taken from the Trainer of ADMIRING, Mr M. Grant, and Jockey J. Whiting in relation to the filly’s racing and trackwork manner.
It was established that near the 200m, ADMIRING shifted inwards when insufficiently clear of JEWELLED causing that filly to be checked. Jockey P. Harvey was subsequently found guilty to a charge of careless riding under ARR.137(a) for causing this interference and was suspended from riding in races for a period of 23 days from midnight 11 April 2009 to midnight 4 May 2009. Additionally, Jockey Harvey was fined the sum of $1,000.
Stewards also concluded the Inquiry into the reason for JEWELLED (W. Pike), FULL MOON (D. Staeck) and DELTA GEE (J. Whiting) falling near the 150m and LADY JEUMONT (L. Camilleri) being severely checked and blundering in Race 6 the Burswood Entertainment Complex-W.A. Oaks (2400m) run at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 4 April 2009.
Evidence was taken from Jockeys W. Pike, D. Staeck, J. Whiting, L. Camilleri, B. Parnham (BRAVA FORTUNE), and J. Brown (CASSANDARA SHADOW).
It was established that near the 150m CASSANDARA SHADOW shifted inwards and contacted BRAVA FORTUNE which became unbalanced and shifted inwards causing JEWELLED to strike the heels of BRAVA FORTUNE and fall with DELTA GEE, which was racing to the inside of that filly, to fall also. FULL MOON then struck the fallen JEWELLED and fell with LADY JEUMONT being severely checked and blundering in this incident causing Jockey Camilleri to be dislodged.
Jockey J. Brown pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under ARR.137 (a) for causing the above interference and was subsequently suspended from riding in races for a period of 6 weeks to commence from midnight 11 April 2009 and to expire at midnight 13 May 2009. Further, Jockey J. Brown was also fined the sum of $2,000. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account the degree of carelessness, the extremely high level of interference in that three horses fell and one severely checked and blundered resulting in four riders being dislodged and suffer various injuries, his plea of guilty and remorse, and Jockey Brown's overall good record in relation to careless riding.
Further, Stewards inquired into the reason for BRAVA FORTUNE (B. Parnham) checking near the 50m in the above race. Evidence was taken from Jockeys’ B. Parnham, P. Harvey (ADMIRING), and J. Brown (CASSANDARA SHADOW).
It was ascertained that after BRAVA FORTUNE was bumped near the 150m causing it to shift inwards, Jockey B. Parnham attempted to take a marginal run to the outside of ADMIRING and to the inside of CASSANDARA SHADOW near the 100m. Shortly after this ADMIRING shifted outwards resulting in BRAVA FORTUNE becoming tightened when attempting to improve with that filly eventually being checked as ADMIRING continued to move outwards. In deciding this matter Stewards were of the opinion that Jockey B. Parnham positioned BRAVA FORTUNE in restricted room to the outside of ADMIRING resulting in him having to check BRAVA FORTUNE as ADMIRING commenced to shift outwards near the 50m. Consequently no further action was taken in regard to this matter, however Jockey P. Harvey was told that in similar circumstances he is expected to straighten his mounts when they commence to shift ground otherwise further action may be taken against him.
