Beaumont RC 20 March 2023 – R2 and R7 – Jacob Lowry
ID: RIB17569
Animal Name:
MR GEE and GINTYS GIRL
Code:
Thoroughbred
Race Date:
20/03/2023
Race Club:
Beaumont Racing Club
Race Location:
Wingatui Racecourse - 285 Gladstone Road North, Mosgiel, Dunedin,
Race Number:
R2
Hearing Date:
20/03/2023
Hearing Location:
Dunedin
Outcome: Proved
Penalty: Jockey Jacob Lowry is suspended for 7 days
Background
Mr Davidson alleged that Mr Lowry had failed to make his contracted weight for the horses MR GEE in Race 2 and GINTYS GIRL in Race 7.
Mr Davidson stated that the Respondent had come to the Stewards before Race 2 and had indicated he was unable to make the weight for MR GEE. He said to Mr Davidson that he still had weight to lose before he could ride GINTYS GIRL in Race 7.
Mr Lowry said he was down to ride at 58.5 and 59.5 kg. He could not make those weights despite his best efforts. He said his other ride was at 60 kg and he had just made that weight, with the 0.9 allowance. He said he had ongoing weight issues. He had been running and using the sauna. The first of the horses in question was his mother’s horse and family loyalty had led him to accept the ride in the hope that he could lose the necessary weight. He added the lack of experienced Riders in the south had also influenced him to keep riding.
Mr Davidson stated that the Stewards would require that Mr Lowry not accept rides under 60 kg in the future.
Decision
As Mr Lowry has admitted the breach, it is found to be proved.
Submissions as to Penalty
Mr Davidson produced the Respondent’s record. This evidenced three breaches in the last four months. He said Mr Lowry clearly struggles with his weight and submitted that a fine in the range of $300 to $400 or a suspension in order to permit the Respondent to get his weight under control was appropriate.
Mr Lowry said a suspension would help with his weight issues. He agreed with the Adjudicative Committee that there was a health issue involved in that there was repeated wasting associated with the breaches.
Reasons for Penalty
This is Mr Lowry’s fourth breach of the Weight Rule in the past four months. The Adjudicative Committee accepts the Respondent has weight issues and has done his best to make the weight. However, he again has been unable to do so. The principal mitigating factor is his ready admission of the breach. That Riders of a somewhat similar calibre were able to replace Mr Lowry is fortunate but that is not something that can be viewed as a mitigating factor. Both those people who had invested on the horses in question and the connections expected Mr Lowry to be the Rider.
Conclusion
Mr Lowry is suspended for seven days, from the end of racing today up to and including 2 April.
Decision Date: 20/03/2023
Publish Date: 24/03/2023