Jockeys suspended after inquiry into Flemington fall
19 Jun 2012 | Racing Victoria Ltd Racing Victoria (RV) stewards on Tuesday reopened their inquiry into the reason for Deliver The Dream, ridden by Katelyn Mallyon, being checked and falling near the 150 metre mark in Race 7 at Flemington on Saturday, 19 May 2012.
Stewards took evidence from jockeys Garry Murphy (Population), Ben Melham (Freereturn) and Nicholas Hall (Pitt Street) on the day of the meeting before adjourning the inquiry until Ms Mallyon was fit to attend.
Stewards today heard evidence from Brett Mallyon, the employer of Ms Mallyon, who was also in attendance, and heard further evidence from Mr Murphy and Mr Melham.
Further evidence was also submitted on behalf of Mr Hall who was unavailable to attend today’s hearing but who’d been interviewed yesterday by stewards.
At the conclusion of the inquiry, Mr Melham was found guilty of a charge of careless riding.
The particulars being that when riding Freereturn along near the 150 metre mark he permitted the gelding to shift in, away from Population, when not sufficiently clear of Deliver The Dream, thereby causing Deliver The Dream to be checked when tightened for room between Freereturn and Pitt Street.
Mr Melham was suspended from race riding for a period of 20 meetings (5 metro, 15 country) commencing at midnight on 21 June 2012 and expiring at midnight on 11 July 2012.
In arriving at the penalty stewards were of the view that during the later stages of the incident Population, which was shifting in, had a bearing on Freereturn at the time that Deliver The Dream clipped the heels of Freereturn and fell.
In all the circumstances stewards considered the incident to be in the high range and took into account Mr Melham’s race riding record.
Mr Murphy pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, the particulars being that when riding Population along near the 150 metre mark he permitted the gelding to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Freereturn, thereby causing Freereturn to shift in and tighten Pitt Street which had to be eased.
Mr Murphy was suspended from race riding for a period of 12 meetings (3 metro, 9 country) commencing at midnight on 21 June 2012 and expiring at midnight on 3 July 2012.
In arriving at his penalty stewards considered the incident to be in the mid range and took into account his good race riding record.