30 Days for Gareth Wright

INQUIRY – JOCKEY GARETH WRIGHT

The National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Durban on 28 October 2021, Jockey Gareth Wright was charged with a contravention of Rule 21.11, read with Rule 66.4. The particulars being that as the Rider of GUY FOX in Race 4, run at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on 13 October 2021, he failed to ensure that this gelding carried the correct weight during the running of the race, by weighing in at more than 0.5kg below the weight at which he was declared out at. This resulted in GUY FOX, which crossed the finishing line first, being disqualified following an objection by the Clerk of Scales being upheld.

Jockey Wright pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge.

The Inquiry Board after considering all mitigating and aggravating evidence, which included the finishing position of GUY FOX and the extent of the underweight, imposed a penalty of a suspension on Jockey Wright from riding in races for a period of 30 days.

Jockey Wright has the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.

This is fraud and the penalty should definitely be more severe!!!

How did the incident actually happen? If deliberate, then consequences should be more severe...if accidental, then consequences should be less severe...just my humble opinion...

I remember someone suggesting he sweated the weight away in the heat during the race :lol:

TNaicker wrote:

How did the incident actually happen? If deliberate, then consequences should be more severe...if accidental, then consequences should be less severe...just my humble opinion...

Okay - Then let's start seeing more jockeys accidentally weigh in underweight going forward. It was only an accident, so let's go easy on them. It is not like they are riding for their R6000 winning fee, while the punters invest millions and the owners R50 000. Definitely.

How on earth can horse racing grow in SA if there unscrupulous jocks. When this incident occurred there was huge money on Guy Fox on the Tote, somebody on ABC posted the screenshot of the shortening of the odds on the Tote. IMO the STIPES are killing horse racing in SA because they too lenient on crooked jocks. I watch overseas racing and those jocks ride their horses vigorously to try and win races, but some of our clowns ride in slow motion. We need competent Stipes.

Thor wrote:

TNaicker wrote:

How did the incident actually happen? If deliberate, then consequences should be more severe...if accidental, then consequences should be less severe...just my humble opinion...

Okay - Then let's start seeing more jockeys accidentally weigh in underweight going forward. It was only an accident, so let's go easy on them. It is not like they are riding for their R6000 winning fee, while the punters invest millions and the owners R50 000. Definitely.

By accident, I mean that it is possible for weight to fall off the weight bag or has this never happened? I heard the interview with Garth Puller on the day when the siren sounded...he mentioned that he personally saddled the horse...so didn't think what happened was possible but it doesn't mean it cannot happen...

The total weight difference was 600g, normally the jockeys are allowed up to 500g leeway. Could he have lost 600g of water during the race being a hot day?

Did the 600g have an impact over 1000m and cost the third horse second place considering how close they finished?

I am not suggesting anything untoward was intended however maybe a bit more facts and procedure could better mitigate the doubt better.

As usual a terrible press release...readers form incorrect assumptions that the rider cheated....better to tell us if a weight was missing or a piece of equipment....is there any scientific proof that he did not actually lose the extra 100g through perspiration...they give him 30 days so for such a serious charge surely more info should be provided to prevent assumptions of corruption?...What if he had lost his crop at the start which weighs more than the 100g in question...would the horse still be disqualified...I don't like this ruling

if it's a 100g more than allowed the NHRA are a disgrace

I have not read all the detail above but weighing in under weight is a serious subject.

Eg the weight 4 kilos fell out of saddle during a race gives the runner a big advantage.
Sure it was Flaming Gun with Willie Ace disqualification for losing weight.
Racing was stopped due to punter protest David Safi will remember.

It is extremely important to have the correct facts ie was it intentional??

Ps Flaming Gun was a money on shot to make it worse

Bob Brogan wrote:

if it's a 100g more than allowed the NHRA are a disgrace

Who knows because very little facts in the Press release....no statement to say all weights accounted for ....nothing....so unprofessional as usual...been the same way for decades....keep everything hidden ....funny he gets fined and where is the Fortune inquiry?...did I miss it or is it still being negotiated