Stewards’ decision dents punters’ confidence
It’s over eight months since the stewards stunned the racing world on New Year’s Eve day when they upheld the objection lodged by runner-up Khayyam against the winner B Fifty Two. Race-goers normally have no option but to consider such decisions as aberrations hence they forgot this error hoping that it won’t be repeated.
However, two verdicts delivered in quick succession by the stewards on Sunday last left the racing fraternity outraged again. Interestingly, it was the newly elected stewards’ body’s first week in office and they made quite a spectacular debut.
The first controversial decision came following an inquiry initiated at the professional stewards’ behest to determine if the original winner Synchronicity had caused any interference to runner-up Jabble and whether it could have made a material impact on the outcome of the race. It’s significant to note that Jabble’s apprentice rider Shahrukh Khan and trainer Rehanullah Khan didn’t lodge an objection against the winner.
Status quo
Due to the poor quality of audio broadcast, it was difficult to hear the precise deliberations of the stewards though it was apparent that senior steward Shyam Ruia was the first to articulate his logic in favour of the winner’s relegation. The other four stewards backed Ruia’s argument and, lo and behold, Jabble was promoted as winner!
Half-hour later, the stewards assembled again to hear the objection of jockey Suraj Narredu astride the third placed Country Music who protested against runner-up Shogun who veered violently towards his left at the start. Prima facie it appeared to be an open-and-shut case and even the stipes recommended that Shogun be disqualified.
Yet again the stewards went their own way and ruled that the original result should remain unaltered.
Blind ego
No sooner were the day’s races over, restless race-goers searched for a motive till late evening and the main theory bandied around was about Synchronicity’s relegation being an act of vendetta against its owner and trainer.
Although every inquiry’s outcome is considered subjective, it seems that the stewards have grossly erred in reading the race and probably lost sight of the fact that the interference appears severe when early leader Shape the Scape came on to Jabble. It’s difficult to find any justification for allowing Shogun to retain his position either.
Regardless, what made the stewards’ decision look worse is the fact that they totally disregarded the professional stewards’ opinion in both incidents. Punters, often accused of speaking out of their pockets, wondered why highly-paid officials are employed when the stewards don’t value their judgment themselves.
In defence of the stewards’ decisions, Gulamhusein Vahanvaty, who chaired the inquiry, asserted that the five stewards unanimously felt that Jabble was travelling better and would have certainly won if Synchronicity had not broken its momentum.
Similarly, they unanimously felt that Shogun’s incident was accidental and didn’t merit his disqualification.
All speculations and motives aside, Sunday’s decisions may’ve caused a big dent to the punters’ confidence in the stewards’ ability to act fairly, something RWITC can certainly do without.
However, two verdicts delivered in quick succession by the stewards on Sunday last left the racing fraternity outraged again. Interestingly, it was the newly elected stewards’ body’s first week in office and they made quite a spectacular debut.
The first controversial decision came following an inquiry initiated at the professional stewards’ behest to determine if the original winner Synchronicity had caused any interference to runner-up Jabble and whether it could have made a material impact on the outcome of the race. It’s significant to note that Jabble’s apprentice rider Shahrukh Khan and trainer Rehanullah Khan didn’t lodge an objection against the winner.
During the course of the inquiry, Rehanullah explained that he watched the replay five times and felt that the interference didn’t merit an objection. When asked for their opinion, the senior stipe and his three colleagues all said that the interference was accidental and the order of the judges’ placing should prevail.
Status quo
Due to the poor quality of audio broadcast, it was difficult to hear the precise deliberations of the stewards though it was apparent that senior steward Shyam Ruia was the first to articulate his logic in favour of the winner’s relegation. The other four stewards backed Ruia’s argument and, lo and behold, Jabble was promoted as winner!
Half-hour later, the stewards assembled again to hear the objection of jockey Suraj Narredu astride the third placed Country Music who protested against runner-up Shogun who veered violently towards his left at the start. Prima facie it appeared to be an open-and-shut case and even the stipes recommended that Shogun be disqualified.
Yet again the stewards went their own way and ruled that the original result should remain unaltered.
Blind ego
No sooner were the day’s races over, restless race-goers searched for a motive till late evening and the main theory bandied around was about Synchronicity’s relegation being an act of vendetta against its owner and trainer.
Although every inquiry’s outcome is considered subjective, it seems that the stewards have grossly erred in reading the race and probably lost sight of the fact that the interference appears severe when early leader Shape the Scape came on to Jabble. It’s difficult to find any justification for allowing Shogun to retain his position either.
Regardless, what made the stewards’ decision look worse is the fact that they totally disregarded the professional stewards’ opinion in both incidents. Punters, often accused of speaking out of their pockets, wondered why highly-paid officials are employed when the stewards don’t value their judgment themselves.
In defence of the stewards’ decisions, Gulamhusein Vahanvaty, who chaired the inquiry, asserted that the five stewards unanimously felt that Jabble was travelling better and would have certainly won if Synchronicity had not broken its momentum.
Similarly, they unanimously felt that Shogun’s incident was accidental and didn’t merit his disqualification.
All speculations and motives aside, Sunday’s decisions may’ve caused a big dent to the punters’ confidence in the stewards’ ability to act fairly, something RWITC can certainly do without.
