Hmmmm, this is fascinating.
A WA apprentice is facing time following a ride at Ascot last Saturday that is causing some angst among racing folks.
Before we get to that, last week the Qld stewards, after enquiry, suspended star Brisbane apprentice Baylee Nothdurft for 3 months because, in their view, he was not taking all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure his mount performed at its best.
After Saturday’s racing, he may be joined on the sideline by West Australian apprentice Chris Graham whose ride on PUSHIN’ SHAPES bears a remarkable amount of – no urgency.
Watch this replay:
Young Graham, in race 6 over 1600m, settled his mount at the rear in yellow.
Now, it’s not for me or you to say at this stage if he didn’t try on the horse. That’s the WA stewards’ job and they have launched an enquiry into the ride. Aiding them, they have rules under the headings – 1) not taking all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure the horse finishes in the best possible position. 2) failed to ride with sufficient vigour and purpose to take a run that would improve the placing.
Did 3kg claimer Graham breach those rules with this ride?
The horse blew in the market from $16 to start at $31.
Graham’s last 6 winners have all been at Ascot, indicating he knows the track rather well.
Love to hear your comments on what the enquiry that the WA stewards have now launched into the ride, should yield.
Given what happened to young Northdruft, a precedent has been set for lack of vigour.
Remember, he copped 3 months.
