Nick Hall has won a compensation case against the connections of Japanese star To The World in a stewards’ room result which could net the Melbourne jockey a $120,000 windfall.
Hall was sacked this week as the rider of To The World and he will be replaced by Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Zac Purton in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Adamant he had a firm commitment for To The World in the richest race of The Championships, Hall took his case to Racing NSW stewards, claiming he was entitled to the appropriate riding fee and his rightful percentage of any prize money the horse won.
Hall gave evidence by telephone from Geelong racecourse during an inquiry at Warwick Farm on Wednesday that involved To The World’s trainer Yasutoshi Ikee and an interpreter.
Ikee told the inquiry he was unhappy with Hall’s three rides for him during the Sydney autumn carnival, including when To The World was beaten into second place as favourite in the BMW.
He said Hall had also failed to follow instructions when riding trackwork.
But stewards found Hall had no case to answer.
” … no criticism was offered to Hall subsequent to riding trackwork or relative to his rides on World Ace in the Doncaster Mile and George Ryder Stakes, or his ride on To The World in the BMW,” chief steward Ray Murrihy said.
“After viewing the videos of the races the stewards were satisfied with the rides.”
Hall said it was unfortunate he had to take his case to stewards.
“I’m terribly sorry (Ikee) felt this way and that I wasn’t given the opportunity to explain my rides on the day like I have today,” he said.
“I wish it hadn’t come to this.”
In handing down their finding, stewards allowed Purton to take the Queen Elizabeth ride but under a local rule of racing they found in favour of Hall and he will earn 4.95 per cent of any winning or place prize money.
To The World is the second favourite for the weight-for-age race with the winning horse to earn connections $2.4 million of which Hall would receive almost $120,000.
Contributer, unbeaten in Sydney weight-for-age races this autumn, remains a $3.40 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth with Cox Plate winner Adelaide on the third line of betting at $6.
Article from justhorseracing.com.au
