Stewards’ Inquiry – Thoroughbreds
11 August, 2010
Thoroughbred
RWWA Stewards today inquired into the circumstances of the official weigh in of Apprentice Andrew Castle the rider of BATTLE SCENE being the first horse past the post in Race 7 the Kingsgate Cup (1300m) at Kalgoorlie on Sunday, 1 August 2010.
On that day Apprentice Castle weighed in 800grams under his declared weight on BATTLE SCENE.
Stewards delayed correct weight and inquired into the reason for Apprentice Castle weighing in light. It was verified by the Official Clerk of Scales Weighing Out Sheet that Apprentice Castle had weighed out with a packing towel in his gear, however this towel was missing when he weighed in.
Evidence was taken from the Trainer of BATTLE SCENE Ms Susannah Hoppmann, Trainer Mr Cliff Smith, Trainer Mr Paul Rowe (Strapper of BATTLE SCENE) and Assistant to the Stewards Mr Greg McDonald.
Evidence was forthcoming at the 1 August 2010 inquiry that the towel had inadvertently been left with BATTLE SCENE when it had been unsaddled. It was stated that this towel was eventually discovered by strapper Paul Rowe as he was leading the horse to the stalls following the race. Trainer Mr Cliff Smith subsequently presented the towel to the Stewards inquiry. Strapper Paul Rowe also gave evidence before the Stewards to confirm the discovery of the towel post race. In the circumstances Stewards had then weighed Apprentice Castle with the towel and he made correct weight and Stewards then declared correct weight.
Subsequent to this inquiry held on Sunday, 1 August 2010 new evidence became available and caused Stewards to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter.
At today’s hearing, evidence was taken from Ms Susannah Hoppmann, Trainer Mr Cliff Smith, Trainer Mr Paul Rowe (Strapper of BATTLE SCENE), Assistant to the Stewards Mr Greg McDonald, Senior Steward Mr Denis Borovica and RWWA Principal Investigator Mr Phil O’Reilly.
Trainer Mr Cliff Smith was charged on:
- Under ARR175(g) for giving false evidence to a Stewards inquiry at Kalgoorlie on Sunday, 1 August 2010.
- Under ARR175(a) for an improper action in that he procured trainer/strapper Paul Rowe to give false evidence at a Stewards inquiry at Kalgoorlie on Sunday, 1 August 2010 in relation to the finding of a packing towel.
Trainer Mr Paul Rowe was charged under ARR175(g) for giving false evidence at a Stewards Inquiry at Kalgoorlie on Sunday, 1 August 2010. Trainer Ms Susannah Hoppmann was charged under ARR143(b) for failing to ensure that a packing towel which Apprentice Castle had weighed out with was included in the racing gear on BATTLE SCENE which competed in Race 7 the Kingsgate Cup (1300m) at Kalgoorlie on Sunday, 1 August 2010.
Trainers’ Hoppmann, Smith and Rowe did not enter a plea in answer to the charges and all requested an adjournment to seek legal advice.
The inquiry was adjourned to a date and time to be fixed.
JOHN A. ZUCAL
RWWA Chairman of Stewards
From the office of the Chairman of Stewards
Racing and Wagering Western Australia
Stewards Division
70 Grandstand Road
Ascot WA 6104
Ph: (08) 9277 0777