THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN - AFTER THE BROWNE VERDICT SCRUTINY IS ON THE SCRUTINEERS

By Graham Potter | Sunday, March 9, 2014

Graham Potter writes a weekly column for the Sunshine Coast daily. Due to demand from those having trouble accessing the paper these columns are now also published on HRO courtesy of the Sunshine Coast daily

Have the stewards opened up a can of worms with their ruling on the Damian Browne handling charge?

The guilty verdict and the six week suspension has left the rider ‘shell-shocked’ (his own description) and that probably summed up the response to the outcome from most racing participants but, to be fair to the stewards inquiry panel (Jamie Dart, Allan Reardon and James Williamson), it should be noted that the majority of those expressing dismay have not seen the multi-view videos on which stewards based their decision.

Browne has the right of appeal which he will exercise so justice in this matter has still to run its course to its ultimate conclusion, but the steward’s actions in this case have brought an old argument into sharp focus and it might take some managing this time around.

To many the Browne case suggests a new tough line is being taken by a ‘new’ Chief Steward which is something that has been called for by punters for years so, in a way, it is ironic that when stewards do flex their muscles they get slammed.

But intrinsic to any integrity issues that stewards oversee is the need for consistency of approach and action.

And therein lies the biggest fallout factor from the Browne investigation and verdict.

Whatever the possible rights and wrongs of their action on Browne, this latest case has set a stark precedent for future evaluation of rides by stewards.

On any given day a number of rides can easily be placed under the microscope, not in terms of any thoughts of malpractice but in terms of judgement displayed and riding skill utilised.

Every jockey rides a bad race sometimes, as Browne admitted he did on Kingtantes, but, like horses, riders are not machines. They do make mistakes… and understandably so as they compete in a danger filled, fast paced, close-quartered environment where even the smallest error can have big consequences.

Based on the unequivocal need for consistency and the Browne verdict, now any time a rider fails to take a run that is presented to him or whose perceived lack of vigour in the saddle leaves the ride open to even the slightest question which MIGHT have cost their horse a better finishing position, stewards, to be fair in the eyes of the public, will now be obliged to investigate that ride as they did Browne’s effort on Kingtantes.

I have no doubt they strive to do just that but their results in this endeavour, courtesy of the Browne saga, will have a bigger audience than normal moving forward.

It might in fact be a time where steward’s resources are stretched and rider’s patience are worn thin but the bottom line is that scrutiny will now be on the scrutineers!

Hence the can of worms.

But that doesn’t mean it will not end well.

Many believe the Browne case, which is an individual matter, will be a test for stewards on appeal. That is now a separate matter with a final outcome that still has to be decided but, for now at least, stewards have made a general statement of intent which has caught the attention of every rider.

It should be remembered that it is not only the steward’s prerogative but it is their outright responsibility to wield powers in a manner they deem necessary to ensure they do their job correctly to an optimum level.

Now If only they can satisfy racegoers that they have added consistency to that mix!

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