Talia Rodder’s appeal against a six-week suspension on a running and handling charge will be heard next week.
The appeal, which will be ruled on by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on Thursday, is being talked up by the Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA) as a test case for all jockeys on the grounds that Rodder made a mistake and there was no intent.
Rodder, 28, was found guilty under AR 135b for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure her mount Serene Tanie had full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in a race at Moonee Valley last Saturday.
It was argued that Rodder, who is a mature age apprentice, made an error of judgment on Serene Tanie who set a hot pace in the Corporate Interiors Handicap (1500m) before compounding and finishing second last to Robbie Laing-trained stable mate Maquina.
Victorian Jockeys Association chief Des O’Keeffe says AR 135b is open to interpretation because of the Rodder guilty verdict and that her appeal will clarify the purpose of the rule.
Rodder’s suspension was to start on Monday night and expire at midnight on January 9 but she has been granted a stay of proceedings.
AAP TURF
