Inquiry into jockeys ride at Cannon Park
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission is yet to set a date when they will hold their inquiry into a Cairns Amateurs Cup winning hoop’s ride last month at Cannon Park.
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The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission is yet to set a date when they will hold their inquiry into Cairns Amateurs Cup winning rider Chris Whiteley’s job on Silent Explorer last month at Cannon Park.
The leading north Queensland jockey, who has based himself in the region during the recent coronavirus zoned racing, was the subject of questions from stewards following Silent Explorer, trained by Cairns’ Stephen Massingham, running second as a short priced favourite.
Silent Explorer was sent out as a $1.30 favourite last Thursday, jumped first out of the barriers before being restrained to near the back of the field.
Whiteley and Silent Explorer went back to second last in the seven-horse field, before getting going at the 600m mark, and while they rocketed home, they could not run down the Janel Ryan-trained Tambo’s Heart, ridden by Nathan Day.
QRIC stewards spoke with Massingham and Whiteley following the races and adjourned the inquiry until a later date.
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A QRIC official this week said a date was yet to be set.
In their post races report, stewards noted Silent Explorer raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages.
“When questioned, jockey Whiteley advised he had elected to restrain his mount early in an effort to take a sit off the pace and it over raced as a result,” stewards wrote in their report.
“He added that he had attempted to follow Buxton into the race from the 600m and the horse finished the race off fairly, however Silent Explorer had not been suited by the slow tempo of the race.
“Trainer Massingham advised his instructions were to attempt to settle the gelding off the pace and avoid being caught inside runners.
“Massingham was also of the opinion the slow pace had worked against Silent Explorer, however he was disappointed with the ride.
“Stewards will inquire further into the matter when details of wagering on the event have been examined.”
Massingham this week said Whiteley contacted him later that night and apologised for his ride, saying he just had a bad day in the saddle.
Despite that, the premier Cairns trainer has stuck with Whiteley, who will pilot Reagan in the Ratings Band 0 – 58 Handicap (1200m) at Cluden Park on Saturday afternoon.
Massingham will also debut a new horse in the region on Saturday afternoon, Dunatun, from Garry White in NSW.
Originally published as Inquiry into jockeys ride at Cannon Park