Watch: The unremarkable Sandown race that was referred to betting investigators

It was a mid-week winter race at Sandown in early June 2022.

A three-year-old filly, Blistering, ridden by Lewis German, was fancied by a number of tipsters in the 1200-metre handicap. But records seen by this masthead show that she drifted late in the betting – from $3.50 to $6 with bookmakers, and even longer on the exchange.

A replay of the race appears to show Blistering fighting against German’s hold throughout the 1200-metre handicap and even during the closing stretches of the home straight, before finishing fourth.

This is the footage of the last 150 metres of the low-profile race at an unremarkable, barely attended Sandown meeting that caught the stewards’ eye – and after questioning German and small-time Moe trainer John Pascoe about the filly’s performance, they referred the outcome to the betting intelligence unit.

The outcome of that investigation has never been released, but the filly was stood down by stewards immediately after the June 1 event in 2022 for poor racing manners – fighting against the rider and racing erratically – and she did not return to the track for three months.

Almost two years later, German and fellow rider Michael Poy, the son of former champion jockey Michael Clarke, have been charged under the rules of racing by Racing Victoria stewards with multiple betting and corruption offences between April 21, 2022, and August 31, 2022.

Stewards have also charged Noah Brash, an owner and professional punter, as well as registered owner Alysha Vass, who is in a relationship with Poy, following a 20-month investigation.

German, 25, and Poy, 24, have been accused by stewards of providing information to Brash on races they were riding in, knowing that Brash would place a bet or bets accordingly.

Stewards alleged that jockeys then rode in a manner to ensure the bets were successful.

Racing Victoria said it would not comment on specific races involving German or Poy because the case was yet to be heard by the Victorian Racing Tribunal.

Analysis requested

A copy of the stewards’ report from the Sandown meeting on June 1, 2022, reveals that they had called German aside about his ride on Blistering.

“Lewis German reported he was instructed to ride his mount with cover, however, after jumping away awkwardly, he settled further back than anticipated, so he would not cover too much ground in the early and middle stages,” the report says.

“He further added that the filly raced keenly and also hung in, in the straight. Trainer John Pascoe confirmed the instructions, however, was surprised that Blistering settled beyond midfield.

“Stewards noted their comments and requested an analysis of the betting records from the Betting Intelligence Unit.”

Jockey Michael Poy is facing betting and corruption charges.Credit: Getty Images

After a three-month spell, Blistering was cleared to run again by stewards after a trial on September 7, 2022. The five-year-old mare ran eighth of 11 runners at Caulfield last Saturday.

When contacted by this masthead, Pascoe, who trains only three horses at his Moe base, said he was disappointed in German’s ride in the 2022 Sandown race. German did not ride again for the trainer.

Pascoe said his daughter was the sole owner of Blistering, a mare that he bred, and almost two years later, he remained disappointed with the outcome of the Sandown event. He did not wish to comment on the stewards’ case against German.

The charges

German is facing one charge of corruption in relation to betting between April 21 and August 31 in 2022, one charge of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing, one count of failing to provide information and one count of giving false or misleading information.

He left Victoria to ride in Western Australia in August last year, but has not ridden since September.

Poy is facing 19 charges involving betting and corruption offences as well as one charge of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing and a charge of making a false or misleading statement.

He moved to Western Australia in April last year. He has ridden in Perth until April 13 this year.

German and Poy did not respond to calls and texts from this masthead.

Poy said in November last year he had based himself in Perth for better riding opportunities.

“If I stayed in Melbourne, I was probably going to be in the bush,” he told Racing WA’s website.

“I thought I might be able to come over here [Perth] and get a name for myself.

“It only takes one trainer to give you a go.”

Professional punter Brash is facing five Racing Victoria charges of betting with or for Poy.

He declined to comment when contacted by this masthead.

On Poy’s Facebook profile, he says he is in a relationship with Alysha Vass.

Vass, a registered owner, has been charged by Racing Victoria on one count of failing to comply with stewards’ directions.

The charges against Poy, German, Brash and Vass will be heard by the Victorian Racing Tribunal at a date to be fixed.

Poy was banned for two months in May 2022 for negligence after he misjudged the number of laps in a race at Kyneton.

He used his whip on eight occasions before easing the horse down after passing the winning post for the first time when there was another lap to run.

He told the Victorian Racing Tribunal at the time: “The biggest deterrence is when you go out for breakfast and people don’t remember you for the jockey who won a group race or the jockey that had ridden 300 winners or the jockey that finished his apprenticeship the quickest of anyone in his year. They ask me, ‘are you the jockey who went a lap early?’”

Jockey Michael Clarke wins the 1991 Australian Cup on Better Loosen Up.Credit: Geoff Ampt

Poy’s father, Michael, was a four-time winner of the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership and best remembered for his association with Japan Cup winner Better Loosen Up.

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