Friday 4 June 2010
Matthew Jackson
Stewards yesterday concluded their inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the retirement of PREMIUM RED the $2.10 favourite, from Race 4, The Redhead Surf Club Old Boys Pace 2030 metres, at Newcastle on 18 February 2010.
During the course of the inquiry, evidence was taken from Mr Anthony Davies the driver of PREMIUM RED, Mr Bill Mordue, the trainer of PREMIUM RED, Mr Matthew Jackson, the part owner and previous trainer of PREMIUM RED, Mr James West, the part owner of PREMIUM RED, Mr Damien Smith, who drove PREMIUM RED in a trial prior to the Newcastle event, and Mr John Camilleri a Sydney based Bloodstock and Betting Commission Agent.
It was established that in the early stages of the race that when the driver of PREMIUM RED Mr Anthony Davies activated the removable deafeners this caused the rear hopple carrying strap to be pulled over the horse’s rump and PREMIUM RED was immediately retired from the event due to gear malfunction.
Mr Matthew Jackson was found guilty of a charge under Rule 215 of manipulating gear so as to improperly disadvantage a horse in a race.
The particulars of that charge being:
“That prior to the running of Race 4 at Newcastle on 18 February 2010, after PREMIUM RED was prepared and geared for racing by its registered Trainer Mr Bill Mordue, you did then fit a set of removable deafeners to PREMIUM RED.
In fitting these deafeners you did manipulate the deafener release cord in such a way as to ensure that when the deafener cord was activated, that significant pressure would be placed on the rear hopple carrying strap.
Further, you did manipulate the buckle on the strap which holds the rear hopple carrying strap in position by entrapping the tongue of the buckle in its keeper which ensured that when the deafeners were released the hopples would be pulled from their correct position, causing them to fall towards the back of the horse and the horse to be retired from the event due to a gear malfunction.
To ensure that this occurred early in the race, when the horse was not racing in the body of the field, you did issue instructions to the driver Anthony Davies ‘go back when you get back if there is a not a horse to the inside of you if you are last or second last rip the ear plugs out’ ”.
Mr Jackson was disqualified for a period of 3 years to be served cumulatively with other penalties Mr Jackson is currently appealing.
Regal Hawk/Adam Ruggari
The adjourned inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the retirement of Regal Hawk by her driver Adam Ruggari from a race at Tamworth on 17 September 2009 will reconvene next Friday 11 June.
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
Name: Michael Beattie
Position: Chairman of Stewards
Phone: (02) 97226600
Email: mbeattie@hrnsw.com.au
