JOCKEY Michael McDonald has been suspended for three months after being found guilty of failing to allow a horse to finish in the best possible position in a race at Spreyton in September.
Racing Services Tasmania Stewards concluded an inquiry into the riding tactics employed by McDonald aboard Jaxter’s Ballet during the eighth race at the Devonport Racing Club’s meeting on Sunday 30 September 2012.
McDonald was found guilty of a charge under AR 135(b) for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures in that –
After beginning well and taking up a forward position approximately a length in front of Isometry approaching the 800 metres he restrained his mount for no apparent reason, lost considerable ground and then remained wide on the track.
After leaving the 400 metres he shifted wider than necessary on the track and lost further ground then made insufficient effort to straighten his horse.
Over the final 200 metres he failed to use reasonable vigour to allow his mount to finish in the best possible position.
The evidence did not support that any of the above was due to the manners of the horse or any condition of the horse.
McDonald’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of three (3) months from midnight 23 November 2012 until midnight 23 February 2013.
In arriving at penalty Stewards took into account the following –
The high degree of culpability of the breach of the rule; and
The seriousness of the breach.
Evidence, in relation to the matter, was called from trainers Leanne Gaffney, Mark Ganderton and Glen Massey.
Phone records and bank details from parties were also provided and analysed with betting details from within Australia also sourced.
After considering all the above, stewards did not deem there to be sufficient evidence for action to be taken against any other person.
The inquiry was the last issue to be dealt with by chief steward Wade Hadley who begins a new chapter of his career as a panel steward with Racing Victoria Limited on Monday.