David Moran – Lochinvar Hugo
After considering further evidence presented regarding David Moran’s drive upon Lochinvar Hugo in Race 3 at Ballarat on April 19 2017, Mr Moran was subsequently found guilty of a charge issued under Rule 149(1) which states: A driver shall take all reasonable and permissible measures during the course of a race to ensure that the horse driven by that driver is given full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing in the field. The particulars of the charge being that leaving the 400m Mr Moran failed to continue to direct his drive outwards to follow The Rusty Bucket (Michael Bellman), which was racing in the running line. Furthermore, approaching the turn into the home straight Mr Moran allowed his drive to improve forward into a position along the peg line following Joe Nein (John Justice) which was leading. Due to there being no sprint lane this resulted in Lochinvar Hugo being held up until near the 100m, when Mr Moran directed his drive outwards from behind The Rusty Bucket and Joe Nein. Stewards considered that it was both reasonable and permissible for Mr Moran to direct his drive outwards to follow The Rusty Bucket at the 400m and then improve to the outside of The Rusty Bucket on entering the home straight and therefore obtain a clear run sooner than eventuated. Mr Moran’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 5 weeks, in assessing penalty Stewards considered the frequency in which Mr Moran drives in races and the level of culpability apportioned to the driving tactics adopted, with the commencement date of this suspension to be determined.
