MY CALL - WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON AT IPSWICH?
By David Fowler | Tuesday, April 19, 2011
David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB, taking the position upon Wayne Wilson's retirement last August. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, will appear every Tuesday on HRO.
What the hell was going on at Ipswich in the last race last Friday?
A rather indignant start to this week's ‘My Call’ but, honestly, what played out, ultimately for the whole of Australia to see, is real Keystone Cops stuff.
Jockey Shane Scriven "steals" Ben Looker's whip in the heat of battle and returns it after the line!
Ben Looker remains silent on return to scale and correct weight is declared by stewards. Did they all think everything would be rosy after that?
What was Scriven doing?
What was Ben Looker "not doing"?
And what was the stewards' panel "not doing"?
On the eve of our showcase racing Carnival, this farce is the last thing we need.
The three questions I have presented all deserve thorough levels of scrutiny because what should be simply a judgement on Scriven's actions has turned into a three ring circus.
Scriven describes his action as a "brain snap" and this theory has credibility, even if the act is plain wrong. More on that later.
His date with destiny will be determined this week.
But why didn't Looker make a post race comment to stipes or protest? I believe his actions, or lack of, deserve to be put under the microscope.
Disappointingly, the stewards' panel also has to be held to account.
It beggars belief they did not lodge a protest which would surely have been upheld. Punters who played on this race and lost as a result of no protest are entitled to be filthy.
What also is beyond comprehension is that Scott Kelly chaired the meeting while more senior stewards Daniel Aurisch and Martin Knibbs were panel members, neither, might I add, in a position to see what transpired over the last 100m.
I would be surprised if Kelly has chaired a TAB provincial meeting in the past.
Unless you saw it and subsequent events, you wouldn't believe it.
But it is all painstakingly true … more the pity!
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I'm prepared to go into bat for Scriven to a degree.
His extraordinary actions are totally out of whack with his profile of one of
Australia's best jockeys.
Ever done anything totally out of character in your life and then wondered why you did it?
Think about it!
I'm glad he bounced back within 24 hours to show the "real Scrivo" with masterful displays on Femina Fashion and Azzaland.
Sure, he had barrier one with both horses which helped their cause, but his mid-race judgement on both was also instrumental to their victory.
There is little doubt he will have to pay for his Ipswich indiscretion but just remember he didn't go to Ipswich races to pinch another jockey's whip.
He did go to Doomben to ride winners and we saw what we expect of him, top notch talent when afforded the opportunities.
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Fellow HRO blogger Rob Heathcote might start getting sick of this column if I keep plucking out one of his stable as a horse to follow.
First-up it was Fillydelphia who failed last Saturday and last week it was Captain Clayton.
And now mark down Woorim to make it a trifecta!
Loved the run in the Bribie. He is a length or two below A grade level and is nifty fresh, but the pace of the race went against him Saturday yet he still made pleasing ground and delivered a ripper of a sectional.
He is going to peak at a tough time, but I'm sure Rob has planned it that way.
And I'm not entitled to be a great fan of Woorim as he knocked off our horse Adnocon in the Glasshouse at Sunshine Coast last Carnival, but that's another story!
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Rumour File.
Queensland bookies have been in the news in recent months but don't expect their profile to fade to grey.
Another issue is looming on the horizon between the satchel swingers and Racing Queensland that will get plenty of exposure.
Until next week.
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