Victorian jockey suspended for 25 meetings after fall inquirry
29 Jun 2012 | Racing Victoria Ltd Racing Victoria (RV) stewards have concluded an inquiry, adjourned from the Bendigo meeting on 17 June 2012, into the reason for State Of Elation (Jake Noonan) and Lucky Thunder (Jake Bayliss) falling near the 400-metre mark in Race 2, the Santons Of Bendigo BM72 Handicap.
Further evidence was taken at the reopening of the inquiry from Jack Hill, who rode Shot Of Laughter in the race; Craig Robertson, who rode Don’t Wake Me; apprentice Jake Bayliss and his employer Mick Kent.
Upon hearing all the evidence, Mr Hill was charged by stewards with careless riding under the provisions of AR.137(a).
The particulars being that near the 400-metre mark, Mr Hill permitted his mount to shift out to obtain a run when insufficiently clear of Lucky Thunder and in doing so tightened Lucky Thunder out on to Don’t Wake Me.
This resulted in Lucky Thunder clipping the heels of Shot Of Laughter and falling, whilst State of Elation, which was following, was brought down as a consequence.
Mr Hill’s permit to ride in races was suspended for a total of 25 meetings (7 metro, 18 country) commencing at midnight last night, 28 June 2012 and expiring at midnight on 23 July 2012.
In assessing penalty stewards took into account the incident resulted in a fall and Mr Hill’s good riding record.
Stewards deemed that this suspension be severed concurrently with a careless riding suspension that Mr Hill commenced on 25 June 2012 and which expires on 5 July 2012.