Wrecking Ball Paul races clear© Photo Healy Racing
Today's 5.45pm amateur handicap run at Dundalk, won by tearaway leader Wrecking Ball Paul has resulted in 12 of the 14 riders each receiving five day suspensions.
Front-runner Wrecking Ball Paul held an uncontested lead under rider Kevin Healy throughout the two-mile contest, in a race where Khadaash refused to leave the stalls and his rider was thus exempt from the resulting enquiry into race tactics.
The report reads:
The Raceday Stewards interviewed the riders of Razdan ridden by Mr P.A. Dunne, placed fifth, Riyami ridden by Mr H.C. Swan, placed second, Next Week ridden by Mr A.P. Ryan, unplaced, Eskimo Komet ridden by Mr F. Maguire, placed third, Rockview Consort (GB), ridden by Mr A. Harvey, placed sixth, Tudor City ridden by Mr B.M. Coonan, unplaced, Caulaincourt ridden by Miss G. Benson, unplaced, Liberated Light ridden by Mr J.L. Gleeson, placed fourth, Arabian King (GB), ridden by Mr R. James, unplaced, Dark Voyager ridden by Miss A.B. O'Connor, unplaced, Kottayam ridden by Mr S.P. Queally, unplaced and Liquid Metric (GB), ridden by Mr P. Hanlon, unplaced, where it appeared that Wrecking Ball Paul ridden by Mr K P Healy was given an unassailable lead before going on to win by 15 lengths. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Mr P.A. Dunne stated that his instructions were to get cover and he did not see how far the winner was in front until approaching the last bend. Mr H.C. Swan stated that he followed instructions to drop his horse out the back and ride for the best possible finishing position. He further added that he knew the winner had gone to far in front and shouted at the other riders to close the gap. Mr A.P. Ryan stated that his mount ran free and so was seeking cover. Mr F. Maguire stated that his mount was being ridden over an extended trip on this occasion. He further stated that when he realised the winner had gone too far ahead he went for his mount on the bend turning into the home straight and felt this had cost him a better finishing position. Mr A. Harvey stated that his mount ran keen and going round the back he had no room and had to sit and suffer. Mr B.M. Coonan stated that he followed instructions to sit mid division and he did not see how far clear the winner was. He felt he had finished to the best of his ability. Miss G. Benson stated that she was unaware of the strength of the pace in front. Mr J.L. Gleeson stated that he made his challenge down the back straight but that his horse never travelled. Mr R. James stated that he was at full pace from the start but was unable to maintain the pace as his mount never travelled. Miss A.B. O'Connor stated that she knew that the winner was a long way clear but her mount got unbalanced and could not go any faster. Mr S.P. Queally stated that he followed instructions to sit mid division and felt he was travelling as strongly as his mount could go. Mr P. Hanlon stated that his mount was flat out all the way.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that all the above named riders, were in breach of Rule 212.A.(ii). Having taken each individual riders record in this regard into account the Race Day Stewards suspended the following riders for five racedays:
Mr P.A. Dunne, Mr H.C. Swan, Mr A.P. Ryan, Mr F. Maguire, Mr A. Harvey, Mr B.M. Coonan, Miss G. Benson, Mr J.L. Gleeson, Mr R. James, Miss A.B. O'Connor, Mr S.P. Queally, Mr P. Hanlon.
In arriving at their decision, the Raceday Stewards paid particular emphasis on the 'timely' obligations of each rider, as stated in Rule 212.A.(ii) and it was this part of the rule in particular that all riders were found to be in breach of.
The Raceday Stewards interviewed John C. McConnell, trainer of Khadaash (GB) , concerning the behaviour of his charge who stood in the stalls for a considerable time and failed to be competative before pulling up. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned, who stated that his charge had a previous record of such behaviour but that he had made every effort to address this issue. Having considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards suspended Khadaash (GB) for thirty days in accordance with the provisions of Rule 14(iii).
