Geez with this approach the Ozzie Stewards would have a field day in NZ!

[Chief Stipe]

×

Punters - Horse Racing & Form Guide

 

Free - Now on Google Play

VIEW

Punters - Horse Racing & Form Guide

 

Punters Paradise Pty Ltd

 

SIGNUP / LOGIN

 

1.  
2.  
3.  

James McDonald has attracted more attention from stewardsImage: Getty

Stewards open inquiry into James McDonald ride at Hawkesbury

By James Lamb Yesterday at 2:15pm

Racing NSW stewards have opened an inquiry into gun jockey James McDonald's ride on Juan Diva in race six at Hawkesbury on Wednesday. 

Juan Diva, heavily-backed from $6 into $2.80, finished 10th of 12 - beaten 13.32L - after meeting with interference in the straight.

The Hawkesbury stewards' report stated "McDonald will be interviewed regarding his riding in the early part of the straight," but that 'interview' is now an official inquiry.

"Stewards will be conducting an inquiry into James McDonald's riding of Juan Diva in the early part of the straight and as to whether there was an option for him to make his run back towards the inside of runners," steward Tom Moxon told Punters.

While a date for the inquiry is yet to be fixed, Moxon hopes it will be next week.

The inquiry will focus on McDonald's decision to come from off the fence at the top of the straight when there was seemingly room to make a run along the inside rail.


 

Juan Diva was three-back in the inside running line straightening for home, with all jockeys keen to steer away from the fence. 

Juan Diva went from three-back the inside to midfield behind a wall of runners at the 250m.

The Freedman-trained mare bumped with other runners from the 250m to the 200m before being eased down by McDonald over the concluding stages.

Thankfully for connections, a post-race vet examination did not reveal any abnormalities. 

Kris Lees filly I Say Hello, who was behind Juan Diva approaching the 400m, won the event after taking an inside run under Hugh Bowman. 
 

The Juan Diva inquiry comes just days after stewards opened an investigation into McDonald's ride on High Supremacy in the G3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on the first day of the Championships.

Stewards, similar to the Hawkesbury inquiry, questioned McDonald post-race as to why he chose not to improve his position back to the inside of the leader Marsannay in the early part of the straight.

READ: Stewards adjourn inquiry into James McDonald ride on Doncaster day

McDonald told stewards he was of the opinion that the inside section of the track was “B-ground” and he wanted to get away from the fence.

High Supremacy, a $5.50 chance, was unable to secure clear running until inside the 200m when he flashed home to finish fourth, beaten 1.75L.

Both inquiries have been adjourned to a date, or dates, yet to be fixed, with McDonald set to partner Verry Elleegant in Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, among eight rides on the Randwick card.
 

[nomates]

They wouldn't have enough hours in the day to deal with all the questions about why they didn't do the obvious , god knows i sit there on race day doing my nut at some of the decision making , make that most of it .

The most  regularly asked question would be " why didn't you move sooner when you were so far back " .

Most regular answer " i was waiting for the ones in front to move because i wasn't sure when i should go " .

[nomates]

On 16/04/2021 at 5:34 PM, nomates said:

The most  regularly asked question would be " why didn't you move sooner when you were so far back " .

Most regular answer " i was waiting for the ones in front to move because i wasn't sure when i should go "

Just watched the 2nd at Invercargill , Kin Kwo was riding Flying Sardine , about to have the above conversation .