Thoroughbred Stewards Inquiry – Jockey Mr P Carbery

Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Stewards today concluded the adjourned inquiry into Jockey Patrick Carbery’s riding and handling of TESTING LOVE in the above race, in particular the reason for allowing his mount to stride forward from the 850m when racing to the outside of SOLAIA (L Warwick) and cross that filly to lead from near the 600m with it then tiring considerably in the straight.

The inquiry commenced immediately following the race with initial evidence taken from Jockey Patrick Carbery, Co-Trainer of TESTING LOVE, Ms Alana Williams and Jockey Lucy Warwick (SOLAIA). The inquiry was then adjourned by the Stewards to review the prior performances of TESTING LOVE, conduct betting and sectional time analysis and to have owner, Mr Robert Peters present.

Further evidence was taken today from Mr Carbery, Ms A Williams and Mr Peters with race replay vision shown including the prior start of TESTING LOVE at Bunbury on 11 February 2021, Race 6, the Crown Perth Handicap over 1800m at Ascot on the same day, and also the Challenge Stakes held at Ascot on Saturday, 13 February 2021.

Jockey Carbery advised that he was instructed to position TESTING LOVE on the pace by Mr R Peters and allow the filly to stride along in the event of there being a slow pace. Mr Carbery further explained that TESTING LOVE commenced to over-race through the early stages and that he had attempted to settle the filly but it continued to race keenly, which he attributed to the lack of pace. He therefore elected to ride the filly along from the 850m to increase the speed in an endeavour to have TESTING LOVE settle and relax as it was not in the best interests of the filly, or SOLAIA which was the leader, to continue to steady it and race outside SOLAIA when racing in such a manner. Jockey Carbery had initially reported to the Stewards when weighing in after the race that in his opinion the filly did not appear to be suited by the firmer track conditions on the day.

Mr R Peters confirmed the riding instructions issued and that he had issued them based on the pattern of the racing on the day as there had been a slow pace set in the prior race and TESTING LOVE required a genuine speed to perform at its best, and also that the filly had won at its prior start when positioned on the pace and as he was conscious of a slow speed in the race he instructed Mr Carbery to ride the filly positively and increase the tempo, including leading if necessary, if the race was run slowly through the early and middle stages. He added that he was confident of the winning chances of TESTING LOVE if there was a solid speed throughout the race as it has the ability to finish off strongly.

After reviewing the 200m sectional times for the race, it was revealed that a slow pace was set with the average time for the first 1000m being well below historical averages for races over the same distance at Ascot, with the slow speed being set favouring runners close to the speed given the difficulty in making ground from back in the field when the pace quickens. Further, from the comprehensive betting analysis undertaken, including Betfair transactions, no irregularities were detected in relation to the general betting pattern with SOLAIA being best supported to win the event.

Co-trainer Ms A Williams advised that TESTING LOVE underwent a veterinary examination on Monday, 1 March 2021 and was found to be significantly lame to the off hind and has now been sent for a spell.

After considering all of the circumstances as detailed above, the Stewards were not fully satisfied that Jockey Carbery’s actions in allowing TESTING LOVE to stride forward from the 850m were blameworthy to the requisite standard to attract the provisions of AR129, which deals with all riders taking all possible measures throughout the race to give their mount full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible place in the field. However, he was told that he had erred in not allowing TESTING LOVE to stride forward prior to the 850m given that the filly was over-racing and did not settle due to the slow pace and that he is expected to show more initiative in similar circumstances in future.