Motherway fined & McGarvey suspended

James Motherway and Jody McGarvey were in hot water with the Stewards at Naas yesterday for the running and riding of Authorization in the fifth race.

Below is the Stewards Report.

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Authorization (GB), ridden by J.S. McGarvey, and trained by J. Motherway.

Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.

J. Motherway, trainer, stated that this animal is very highly strung and difficult to settle as he runs very free as was seen the last day at Gowran Park. Today he was fitted with a hood and a net muzzle to try and get him to relax.

Consequently he instructed the rider to jump off and sit right behind the second last horse, get his mount to settle, do his best and try to get the gelding to finish. He stated that he was satisfied with the ride. He also advised the Stewards that this animal had fractured a bone in his foreleg and also has a tendency to lean to the left when racing

J.S. McGarvey, rider, confirmed the riding instructions and added that he carried them out fully. He stated that in running his mount settled well and jumped adequately but picked up the bit to get racing before the turn into the straight.

He added that he was mindful of his flat pedigree and did not want him racing too soon, therefore he held onto him after the turn in and switched inwards where he met some interference in the closing stages.

He accepted that he did stay on well but was ridden to get the trip of 2 miles 3 furlongs. He did not feel any abnormality in running.

The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Authorization (GB) was lame post race and had also a punctured sole left hind and lost a shoe on the same leg.

This report was put to the trainer and rider during the course of this enquiry.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that J. Motherway was in breach of rule 212(a)(iii) by using the racecourse as a training ground.

They, therefore, fined J. Motherway €2,000 and suspended Authorization (GB) for 60 days.

The Stewards were also satisfied that J.S. McGarvey was in breach of rule 212 (a)(i) by failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his horse was given a full opportunity to win or of obtaining his best possible place and therefore suspended him for 14 racedays and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee.