Stewards Inquiry – TWO SILVER TREES
1 February, 2016
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred – Stewards Inquiry- TWO SILVER TREES Narrogin Tuesday 26 January 2016 Race 3, the THONG TOSS MAIDEN- 930m.
Stewards today completed the adjourned inquiry into Jockey Paul Harvey’s handling of TWO SILVER TREES over the final 400m of the above race. Further evidence was taken from Mr. P. Harvey and the Trainer of TWO SILVER TREES, Mr L Smith.
Mr Harvey was specifically questioned in relation to the reason for him electing to take TWO SILVER TREES to the inside of JUST BUBBLES (Jerry Noske) prior to straightening resulting in it then becoming held up for clear running rather than shifting TWO SILVER TREES to the outside of JUST BUBBLES.
Mr Harvey explained that TWO SILVER TREES was having its first race start and was not travelling strongly prior to straightening necessitating him to urge the filly along through that section of the race in order to remain in contact with JUST BUBBLES and consequently he was reluctant to take the filly wider on the track at that time as he was of the opinion that it may become unbalanced and forced to cover extra ground and he therefore believed his best option was to attempt to save ground and improve through the field.
Trainer L Smith agreed with the remarks of Jockey P Harvey and was also of the same view that TWO SILVER TREES was not travelling strongly prior to entering the straight and he was satisfied with his actions and decisions at that point of the race.
Stewards were of the opinion that Mr Harvey had erred in not shifting TWO SILVER TREES wider on the track on straightening, however in all of the circumstances did not believe the level of his error to be sufficiently blameworthy to attract the provisions of AR 135 (b) which requires a rider to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure his mount is given full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing.