Jockey Rory Hutchings admitted to having a “brain snap” after Racing NSW stewards slapped him with a one-month ban over two separate but related charges at Randwick.
Having only recently returned from a three-month injury enforced layoff, Hutchings told stewards he was struggling to get down to 56.5kg to ride the Chris Waller-trained Providence in the opening race and attempted to weigh out without his safety vest.
It was then alleged that he told Clerk of Scales David Sylvester: “I’ll look after you”.
Presiding steward Tom Moxon asked Hutchings if he realised how that sentence might be construed.
“Would it be accepted that a reasonable person could take those words to mean that you were trying to have the clerk of scales allow you to weigh out and turn a blind eye to the fact you were attempting to weigh out without a vest in order to make the weight?” Moxon asked.
“It’s an extremely awkward position you have put an official in.”
Hutchings was adamant that was not what he’d meant and said the words had come out incorrectly before expressing remorse over his actions.
“I regret putting an official in that position,” Hutchings told stewards.
“It wasn’t my intention. I made a stupid mistake by not weighing (out) with a vest, obviously feeling pressure to ride the horse.
“I certainly regret my action and if you see my record, for the length of time I’ve been riding, I’m not someone who has tried to do that before. I certainly won’t do it again.”
Hutchings was replaced on Providence by Tyler Schiller, the colt finishing third behind the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Agarwood.
Stewards issued Hutchings with a three-week ban for deliberately presenting to scale without a vest in order to try to make the horse’s weight, and another four-week penalty for improper action towards an official.
The penalties will be served concurrently, starting on June 1 and expiring on June 29.
