Otago RC 21 October 2021 – R 6 – Mr Jacob Lowry

EVIDENCE:

Mr Davidson alleged that Mr Lowry rode carelessly when he permitted his mount (ACCUSE) to shift ground inwards checking inside runners passing the 900 metres.

Miss Haley demonstrated on the videos that Mr Lowry’s horse’s head was turned in when he shifted ground inwards on the apex of the bend.

Mr Davidson stated that the Respondent had allowed his mount to shift in dictating PERFECT MOMENT initially onto WILD ROVER who had to be steadied and THE PIEMAN who was crowded and checked passing the 900 metres. He said THE PIEMAN was lucky to stay on its feet.

Mr May, the rider of PIEMAN, stated that on the first bend he had received a lot of pressure from his outside. It had got tight, and he had to take a hold. He said there was yelling and Ms Wynne to his outside had to take a hold as well. He was yelling at Mr Chowdoory on PERFECT MOMENT to relieve the pressure, but he did not think he could as there was a horse to his outside.

Mr Chowdoory, the rider of PERFECT MOMENT, said on the first bend he received pressure from his outside. There were 2 horses inside him, and he was trying to relieve the pressure but could not because there was a horse to his outside. He had tried to turn the head of his horse out to get out. He had been yelling to be given room.

Mr Lowry questioned Mr Chowdoory as to whether he intended to race inside or outside the heels of the leading horse. He said his intention was to stay out as there were 2 horses to his inside.

Mr Lowry said the initial check had nothing to do with him. When Mr Chowdoory called for room, he tried to relieve the pressure as quickly as he could. He had turned the head of his horse out, but the body of the horse had come in. He was doing his best to relieve the pressure and believed if he had done more either way it would have put Mr Chowdoory in danger.

Mr Lowry reiterated he believed that Mr Chowdoory was originally intending to take a run inside the heels of the leading horse and had only later shifted out. This had contributed to the incident.

Mr Davidson said that he believed Mr Chowdoory had come out because Mr May was yelling. He said it was clear on the film that Mr Lowry had come in on an angle. The main check was to Mr Chowdoory and then on to Mr May. At no stage could Mr Chowdoory relieve the pressure on Mr May because of the angle at which Mr Lowry had come across.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

It is evident there is movement as the field reaches the apex of the first bend. Mr Chowdoory is endeavouring to keep off the 2 horses to his inside in order to give them room, and in particular, to Mr May, who was racing close to the rail. As Mr Chowdoory said in his evidence, he could not as Mr Lowry was to his outside and was placing pressure on his horse. This pressure on Mr Chowdoory was due to Mr Lowry making an angled run inwards when not his length and another clear. It was 3/4 of a length at best. The result was that Mr Chowdoory was unable to relieve the pressure on the horses to his inside and Mr May ran out of room. While the Committee accepts Mr Lowry tried to relieve the pressure on hearing the yelling, this was too late. The damage to Mr Chowdoory and thus to Mr May on the inside of Ms Wynne, had already been done.

DECISION:

The charge of careless riding is proved.

PENALTY SUBMISSIONS:

Mr Davidson produced Mr Lowry’s record. This showed 2 previous breaches this season: 4 days in November and 5 days in April. He described this record as “reasonable”. The breach, he believed, was low end. Mr Lowry agreed with this assessment.

REASONS FOR PENALTY:

The breach is low end and a 6-day starting point is taken. Mr Lowry is a busy South Island jockey whose opportunities are limited by his difficulty with his weight. He has had 85 rides since his previous suspension and the Committee believes his record can be described as good.

A 5-day suspension is appropriate.

CONCLUSION:

Mr Lowry is suspended from riding from the conclusion of racing on 25th October to the conclusion of racing on 30th October, 5 national days.