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Sandesh’s mild suspension raises eyebrows!

  January 19 , 2022
   

Sandesh`s blunder of epic proportions if it can be called so on Juliette in the last month`s Indian Turf Invitation Cup has got the jockey only 12 days suspension. The newly elected Stewards of RWITC have been very lenient in awarding such a small suspension. Sandesh`s ride cannot be conveniently put as an error of judgment. There is more to it than meets the eye.

Long ago, jockey Aslam Kader was handed a three-year suspension by the RWITC Stewards when he lost by a whisker on a horse called Exotic in the belief that he had stopped the horse. Whether the jockey was guilty or not only he or God will know in such an instance. The then Stewards believed that in order to ensure fair racing, no concession can be given however mighty the jockey may be. Aslam was suspended at the height of his prime when he was booting home a record tally season after season.

Another top jockey Suraj Narredu was given a suspension of six months at Bangalore for his ride on Salazaar. Salazaar lost in a tight finish. The reason why the Stewards at BTC handed out the suspension was based on the belief that the finishing effort of the jockey was not commensurate with his ability. The suspension was based on the conviction of the Stewards and in such instances, it is difficult to come to an error-free conclusion. But still, the jockey had to suffer the consequences of the adverse verdict. In contrast, there was no ambiguity about Sandesh`s riding but he has been allowed to go scot-free by the Stewards who were perhaps in a mood to forgive the serious infringement indifferent to the consequences their decision will have on the very conduct of racing.

Sandesh has been lucky in that he has got away with many infractions. Sandesh`s ride was the subject matter of an enquiry at Chennai last season when lost on red hot favourite Multifaceted who subsequently reeled off many smashing wins including the success in the Sprinters Cup at Mumbai on the very day Sandesh rode a horrendous race on Juliette.

In the words of the jockey himself, he had no explanation to offer except stating that it was an error of judgment and that he was willing to take the suspension without appealing the same in the Appeal Board. How generous of him! The Stewards were happy with the gesture of Sandesh that he would not question their wisdom and promptly gave him a suspension of 12 race days.

Why did the Stewards not go beyond the obvious? This is a question that every racegoer wants to know. One is not sure whether the Stewards can satisfy their conscience with the kind of extraordinary treatment they have given to the jockey who has had a charmed life. Either Sandesh was guilty of malpractice or not. No other opinion will fit his ride. If the Stewards believed the incredulous argument that it was an error of judgment, then even 12 days of suspension is harsh!

EXCERPT OF THE REPORT:

RE: ENQUIRY INTO THE RUNNING AND RIDING OF “JULIETTE” IN RACE NO.13 – THE ZAVARAY S POONAWALLA INDIAN TURF INVITATION CUP (GR.1) (2400 METRES) RUN ON 19th DECEMBER, 2021 :


In connection to the captioned subject matter the Stewards of the Club at their meeting held on Sunday, 16th January 2022, heard Trainer Karthik Ganapathy and Jockey A. Sandesh along with his spokesperson Trainer Narendra Lagad and having viewed the video of the race in question, as also the previous races of JULIETTE i.e. Race no. 82 & 145 run at Hyderabad Race Club.

Keeping in mind that during the course of the enquiry Jockey A. Sandesh pleaded guilty and that it was an error of judgment on his part and despite the dissatisfaction expressed by the trainer in his riding the Stewards decided to give him the benefit of the doubt for the charge of “not permitting your mount to run on its merits” and held him guilty of “unsatisfactory riding” on JULIETTE in Race No.13.

It was noted that in the early part of the race he had dropped out and positioned the mare more than 30 lengths behind the field thus denying the mare a fair chance in the race by failing to follow the specific riding instructions given to him by the trainer. Further, he has made no effort to improve his position due to which the mare was at a complete disadvantage and had a daunting task to cover the lost ground.

The Stewards also took exception to his riding efforts in the straight as the same were found wanting. Therefore, the Stewards of the Club decided to suspend his Jockey`s licence for Twelve Race Days i.e. from 5th February, 2022 to 17th April, 2022 (both days inclusive) (permitted to ride work/mock race).

 
 
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Total Comments : 3
Posted by CID on ( January 19 , 2022 )
The only precaution the jockey must take is to inform the stewards most of whom are big time closet punters his manner of riding on a fancied horse in advance. Then the wise men will readjust their betting, jackpot selection etc etc and hold the fort for the jockey in the stewards room.
 
Posted by Srinivas on ( January 19 , 2022 )
Dear Admin,
If am correct Aslam khader was suspended for Pulling ROLLERBALL trained by Mr Rehananula khan (who trained Strength to Strength winner of Sprinters cup ridden by C Lemaire who had a dream weekend) the appeals board had also upheld the suspension and Aslam`s house was raided by INCOME TAX Seluths as written in media those days.

Admin: He was also suspended for Exotic for three years.
 
Posted by Sayyad on ( January 19 , 2022 )
The inquiry and the suspension is an eyewash. The race was fixed by the High n Mighty of RWITC. That`s All.
 
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