FROM THE SHERIFF'S DESK - COOL HEADS FOLLOWING OFFICIAL, PROPER PROCEDURE IS THE BEST WAY TO GO

By John Schreck | Thursday, January 19, 2017

John Schreck, a former Chief Steward in both Sydney and Hong Kong, has seen both the colourful and the dark sides of racing. His wealth of experience and his deep knowledge of racing matters across the board is unquestioned and the reputation he built as a racing ‘lawman’ remains firmly entrenched in racing’s history. Shreck’s personal blog, ‘From the Sheriff’s Desk', appears exclusively on HRO.

The incident in the last race at Morphettville last Saturday has, not surprisingly, been one of the main talking points of the week.

As has been well documented rider Josh Cartwright, as stated in the official stewards’ report, ‘pleaded guilty to a charge under AR137(a) for reckless riding in that he directed and rode his mount outwards in a reckless manner at an acute angle with the intention of making contact with runners to his outside and in doing so contacted Go The Journey inside the 200 metres, resulting in that horse being severely hampered and taken out onto House Of Wax, resulting in that horse becoming severely unbalanced and J. Holder becoming unbalanced and losing his seat, falling to the nearside of his mount before regaining his seat a number of strides thereafter. Stewards adjourned the matter on penalty for further consideration. However, J. Cartwright was stood down from all riding activity with immediate effect.’

I am very aware of the reaction this episode has created and I have been asked my opinion about it but it clearly would not be prudent for me to comment on the details of a case which has yet to be concluded so I will not be doing that.

Similarly, while there has already been much speculation on any penalty that might be handed out in this case, I am not going to join that specific conversation.

There is a procedure in place to deal with such matters and it is best to let this matter run its proper course.

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In the same incident last Saturday, on a positive note if you can call it that in those circumstances, you have to admire the horsemanship of jockey Jason Holder.

Being jolted out of the saddle and then sliding down the side of his mount after taking a blow he couldn’t see coming, Holder’s instinctive riding response was simple outstanding.

Not only did he prevent himself from falling (at speed) but he regained his seat and within a stride was back urging his horse on, riding it out and showing it the whip as if nothing had happened.

He deserves much praise for that.

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Jeff Lloyd is obviously riding very well and has over a long period of time he has proved himself to be a one of the best riders around.

The owner of Houtzen, speaking at the trophy presentation after Lloyd’s big win in the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic on Saturday, said that Lloyd was currently the best jockey in Australia. He certainly is the most winningest jockey in Australia at the moment and I was very disappointed when he went to the presentation of that important high profile race in a singlet.

I just couldn’t imagine Jeff Lloyd doing that if he had won a July Handicap ... or Douglas Whyte or countless others doing that after a big race win with such vast national and international coverage.

If nothing else the owners would have surely ideally have wanted all of those presentation photos to include Lloyd in their racing colours, but I do think it goes beyond that.

The Premier was on the podium. All of the dignitaries of the business were on the podium.

It is all about showing respect and I was just surprised and disappointed that Lloyd was not there with a jacket or his race colours on. I know was a hot day and that no slight was intended but I thought the sport in Australia deserved to be shown greater respect than that.

I know some people will find this petty and unimportant but presenting yourself appropriately in these circumstances is really such an easy thing adhere to that I would hope it becomes part of the official presentation protocol in future to ensure that due respect is shown for the occasion.