BOLD GLANCE INQUIRY UPDATE

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, March 16, 2011

On Saturday, February 26, stewards opened an inquiry into the running and handling of Bold Glance, who finished second behind Essington in the seventh race on the card at Eagle Farm on that day.

After taking evidence from the trainer of the horse, Norm Hilton, and rider, Bobby El-Issa, the inquiry was adjourned at that time.

Stewards continued the Bold Glance inquiry on Friday, March 11.

Evidence was taken from the jockey of Bold Glance Bobby El-Issa, trainer and part-owner of Bold Glance Mr Norm Hilton and fellow part-owners Ms Tracy Hilton and Mrs Trudy Walsh. Written testimony from part-owner Mr B. Walsh was also entered into evidence.

Following an investigation into betting transactions on the race, Mr Stephen Fletcher was also called by stewards to provide evidence.

Betfair integrity and risk manager Mr Mathew Clark provided a written statement and was also called to give telephonic evidence at Friday’s hearing.

On the basis of the evidence provided stewards decided to adjourn the matter until such time as Mr Fletcher was able to provide his telephone records for the period leading up to February 26, 2011.

A supplementary report posted at the start of the official Stewards Report following the meeting at Doomben on Saturday March 12 stated:

‘From Eagle Farm 26.2.11: Stewards have questioned J. Taylor, the rider of Sneaky Long, and C. Munce, the rider of Essington, regarding their riding of their respective mounts between the 600m and the 400m, in particular the reason for J. Taylor, when racing in a three-wide position outside of the leaders, turning in the saddle and looking behind to his inside on two occasions.

'Following this Sneaky Long shifted out rounding the home turn and Essington obtained a run to that gelding's inside.

'J. Taylor explained that Sneaky Long had been forced to race three-wide throughout and after passing the 600m was shifting ground whilst under pressure and when he heard calling behind him he looked to ensure he was not interfering with that runner.

'J. Taylor added that Sneaky Long did shift out rounding the home turn when tiring and as a result Essington improved between his mount and Fidikat.

'C. Munce explained that he had noticed Sneaky Long shifting some ground when placed under pressure after passing the 600m although he could not recall calling to J. Taylor at the relevant time.

'C. Munce added that when Sneaky Long did shift out approaching the 400m, this presented him with clear running and he rode Essington vigorously to improve into that run.

'Stewards advised J. Taylor that his actions on Sneaky Long in twice looking back at Essington concerned them as it did not appear that the gelding was shifting ground noticeably which would require him to become concerned that he had deviated from the three-wide position he was occupying.

'C. Munce was advised that stewards were concerned with his persistence to remain in a one-wide trailing position after passing the 600m on the $1.75 favourite, when the opportunity existed to improve to the outside of both Fidikat and Sneaky Long, both of which started at $101.

'Both riders were advised that stewards would continue their investigation into the betting activities on the race and if any of this information requires explanation they would be questioned further.'

The investigation is continuing.

*For the record, the ride and the run of both Sneaky Long and Essington gets no mention in the original stewards report on race-day.

Sneaky Long, who was quoted at $101, finished last, 19.80 lengths behind Essington.

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