IT was beginning to look an awful lot like Christmas at Canterbury on Wednesday when a chief steward named Rudoph delivered premature presents for the battling punters with inquiries into the tactics adopted on two starters from the powerful Chris Waller stable.
In news that seemed to have largely escaped the mainstream racing media in Sydney, the Greg Rudolph panel opened inquiries into two rides by Glyn Schofield on horses prepared by champion trainer Waller.
They accepted the Schofield explanation concerning Republic Lad but have adjourned their inquiry into his tactics on Flying Zero.
Schofield was quizzed over his decision to ‘ride for luck’ inside of the favorite Dreamworker inside the 800m mark on Republic Lad in the Schweppes Handicap.
He explained that this had enabled Republic Lad to improve at least a length rather than being pushed wide entering the straight.
Stewards described the move as ‘low on percentages’ to which Schofield responded: “It’s the shortest way home. There’s a lot of race to run. Why do you need to start pushing the panic button? My decision making I believe is fine. I rode for luck but I didn’t get it.”
No further action was taken in this case but stewards have yet to finalize their inquiry concerning Flying Zero which Schofield allowed to drift back and settle near last.
The confusing part is that Schofield was given two sets of instructions – to allow the horse to drop back and find cover’ or to be on the speed if the horse settled.
He adopted the first and Flying Zero flew home to finish an eye-catching third behind the favorite Sufasa.
In the same race stewards questioned the tactics of Schofield’s apprentice son, Chad, on Power Receiver.
Below are the Stewards Reports on the two inquiries:
WHEN questioned regarding his riding of Republic Lad and in particular the tactics he adopted from the 700m when he elected to shift back to the inside of the eventual winner, Dreamworker, G Schofield stated that he was aware that Dreamworker had shifted to a three deep position to make its run and he therefore took the opportunity to improve to its inside and follow Kilauea into the race.
He added that he was able to make ground coming to the 500m, however, when Kilauea did not take him into the race and shifted back in slightly, he was held up when awkwardly placed between that runner and Kilawoman.
G Schofield explained that he was then obliged to shift out around the heels of Kilauea, however, was awkwardly placed between that runner and Tigress Lily, which shifted in when weakening and, as a result, he was held up until approaching the 200m. He added over the concluding stages Republic Lad, which was inclined to lay in, was brushed by Ranger’s Boy, which also laid in under pressure.
The Stewards agreed with G Schofield that in the circumstances it was not unreasonable to attempt to improve his position from the 700m by saving ground and noted his explanation.
And this one:
AN inquiry into the handling of Flying Zero was adjourned to a date to be fixed so that the Stewards can peruse the betting on the race and also the gelding’s previous race start.
WHEN questioned regarding his tactics on Power Receiver, App. C Schofield stated that his instructions had been to lead on the colt, as this had been a tactic successfully employed at its last three starts when successful on country tracks.
He added that today he drove his mount out of the gates, however, with the step up in class, his mount did not show sufficient speed, despite his urgings and therefore he was obliged to take a trailing position behind the eventual leaders, Safusa and Malavio.
There was no mention in either stewards’ report of champion trainer Chris Waller being questioned regarding the inquiries involving both of his horses.
