He shifted ground but it was only minimal. It was not enough to warrant a suspension. |
He's in the best three jockeys in the world. |
He's over-competitive. He's met the riding skills panel and demonstrated to me at a meeting last week he fully understands where he's gone wrong in the past. |
He's spent about 100 of the last 300 meetings on the sidelines. |
His strength is his biggest asset. I still think he uses the whip too much and I've told him that. He's so good hands and heels. |
I can't elaborate further but there are a couple of things we really need to address. |
I had a talk to him and his boss (Lee Hope) today when they called in. |
I had several talks with Craig while he was disqualified, and I knew from the determination he showed me he would be giving it his best shot. |
If a rider appeals against a suspension in, say, a Cox Plate, the right to ride on Derby Day at Flemington a week later and in the Melbourne Cup will be at the discretion of the Appeals Board. |
If he comes here with a clearance and there's nothing untoward in our discussions, then he will be able to ride in Melbourne. |
If we thought for one minute it was anything more than an error of judgment, rest assured we would have taken action. |
The issue of horse welfare is of paramount concern for us. We regard this is as a very serious breach of the rules of racing. |
We allow a stay only if riders are declared for a race, and that includes the Melbourne Cup. |
You couldn't ask for better at this stage. |