As reported on the Racing Victoria website … ‘Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have concluded their inquiry into the reason for Flyball (Jamie Kah) falling approaching the 1000m and Dubenenko (Craig Williams), which was following, dislodging its rider in the Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), run at Flemington on Saturday, 11 March 2023.
‘Initial evidence was taken at Flemington on 11 March 2023 from the following riders: Sam Clipperton (Portorosa), Damian Lane (Veight), Blaike McDougall (Freakofnature), Mark Zahra (Apulia) and Blake Shinn (Tom Kitten).
‘On Monday, 1 May 2023, evidence was taken from Jamie Kah and Craig Williams.
‘Stewards established that, approaching the 1000m Flyball, which had been following Veight in a two wide position, was restrained by its rider Jamie Kah to avoid the heels of Veight, which had settled in a position behind the leading runners.
‘When being restrained, Flyball began to race keenly before clipping the heels of Veight and falling. Dubenenko, which was following was severely checked and almost fell, dislodging Craig Williams, when unable to avoid making contact with the fallen Flyball.
‘Also, as a result of this incident, Tom Kitten was severely checked, and Portorosa and Freakofnature were hampered when attempting to avoid the fallen Flyball.
‘After considering all the evidence, which included the analysis of all available video footage, the Stewards deemed the incident to be accidental and not attributed to the carelessness of any one rider and therefore will take no further action with respect to the matter.’
