October
MaySuspension of disbelief
I have nothing against Daniel Ganderton and did not back Liesele, but am still trying to fathom the ban handed down to him for his ride at Scone and align it with other recent disqualifications.
Shane Scriven received five months for taking another jockey’s whip while Blake Shinn and Peter Robl received 12 month suspensions essentially relating to betting (Shinn’s suspension reduced from 15 months on appeal), yet there was no allegation relating to Shinn or Robl that either did not try to win a particular race.
Bobby El-Issa received a two-year disqualification for his ride on Bold Glance, yet Daniel Ganderton received a 66-day suspension from Racing NSW stewards.
Daniel was found guilty of six separate charges relating to his ride during the race and pleaded guilty to another charge. By his own admission, Daniel acknowledged the stewards’ contention that "over the final 50 metres when in clear running to the outside of La Remlap, Ganderton at all times in the run to the finish line continued to restrain Liesele and not ride that filly out, when it was reasonable and permissible for him to ride his mount out to the line with vigour and purpose."
Punters need to have absolute confidence in the integrity of the sport and the failure of a jockey to attempt to win a race is the worst crime.
Of course, one can argue about the appropriateness of the charges, which I assume will be appealed, but on the basis that stewards have found him guilty of these charges, surely Ganderton should have been outed for at least two years?
Camberwell (Vic)