THE SUNSHINE COAST NEWSPAPER COLUMN - LUKE TARRANT STAYS FOCUSSED DURING TRYING TIMES

By Graham Potter | Sunday, June 21, 2015

Gun Sunshine Coast apprentice Luke Tarrant has certainly not been fazed by his impending appeal hearing against a six-week suspension for the very serious charge of reckless riding.

In his last ten rides prior to going into the Tatts Tiara meeting yesterday, Tarrant had been victorious on no less than four occasions including wins in two feature races, the Ipswich Cup and the Rockhampton Newmarket.

His win in the Ipswich Cup came aboard Danchai, which was his first ride for the all-conquering Chris Waller stable. If ever Tarrant needed a vote of confidence during this trying time ... that was it.

The fact that Waller, who would have had a long list of jockeys to consider, ultimately settled on a young apprentice riding under a cloud of a reckless riding charge speaks volumes for the level of respect that Tarrant’s innate ability has now earned.

Then, on Thursday, after picking up a winner in the Wednesday midweek at Doomben Tarrant was in Rockhampton where he guided Le Cap to victory in the Newmarket.

In the Newmarket result Tarrant once again teamed up with Sunshine Coast trainer Darryl Hansen. This combination had famously won the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic back in January with Le Chef making this another example of a trainer sticking firm with Tarrant.

And all the while Tarrant is still hanging in there, as an apprentice, with a chance of landing the Brisbane Jockey’s Premiership.

The point I’m making is ... good on Tarrant for keeping his eye on the ball and good on those who have shown him support during this stay of proceedings, not least his master and his manager Frank and Melanie Phillips.

That doesn’t mean I condone reckless riding. It does mean Tarrant is doing a sterling job under the circumstances ... with that ‘guilty’ reckless riding finding still under challenge.

Tarrant's appeal is expected to be heard on June 26, one month after being suspended and granted a stay of proceedings.

A reckless riding charge is a rarity but it relates to a serious indiscretion with heavy consequences. As such, if nothing else, the appeal hearing outcome will provide stewards with a good benchmark to work with as it will set a precedent for future cases regarding one of racing’s most serious offences.

Afterall, it is an obligation of stewards and Appeal Boards to be consistent in these matters.

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Taking about Appeal Boards I noted with some concern an extract from an Appeal Decision, dated May 14, following Bridget Grylls appeal against a six meeting suspension on a careless riding charge.

For the record, the Board reduced the penalty to three meetings.

The extract reads: ‘We (the Appeal Board) are however mindful of the fact that she (Grylls) rides on regular basis. She is an extremely competent jockey, a successful jockey and one who is obviously going to go places in this industry.’

Now I do think that Grylls is having a great season and she is a credit to the industry, but can somebody please explain to me where that comes in with regard to assessing her liability for a particular infringement in which she pleaded guilty.

To me, that extract was a touch inappropriate ... but, then again, it has got me wondering what the Appeal Board might think of Luke Tarrant.

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