February 14, 2012
Stewards today concluded their inquiries into the driving tactics adopted by several drivers in race 2, the Hicks Stables and Steel Construction 3YO Pace at Shepparton on Wednesday 7 December 2011.
Evidence was taken on the day from drivers Daniel Jack (Sierra Gem), Nathan Jack (Gangster Boy), Leigh Sutton (Chloe Vargarita) and Danny Thackeray (Charm Alarm NZ) regarding their tactics.
Nathan Jack (Gangster Boy) was questioned regarding his tactics and in particular why he held the lead through the early and middle stages of the race when challenged by Sierra Gem. Nathan Jack reported that he was instructed by the trainer to try to lead if possible and he was of the opinion that if he had relinquished the lead to Sierra Gem it may then have handed up to Chloe Vargarita placing him three back on the marker pegs and his horses form prior to a spell was strong in much superior company. After considering all the statements, stewards accepted Nathan Jack’s explanation was not unreasonable given the circumstances and the exposed form of his own drive.
Drivers Leigh Sutton and Danny Thackeray were also questioned regarding driving instructions issued to them by trainer Daniel Jack. Driver Sutton (Chloe Vargarita) advised he was instructed to come out of the barrier and then drive his horse quietly. Driver Thackeray (Charm Alarm) advised that he was given no instructions as he had driven the horse the previous week at Albury where it performed below expectations. Both drivers’ explanations were noted.
On 16 December 2012, further evidence was taken from driver Daniel Jack which included a race day veterinary report and including a veterinary report from the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital dated 8 December 2011 was considered.
Stewards also conducted a thorough investigation and analysis of all betting activities of involved parties and close associates of the race in question. Telephone and bank records of Mr Jack were also analysed and an in depth interview with owner Andrew Grover was conducted.
A thorough investigation of this information did not reveal betting patterns or activity outside the normal parameters of persons involved.
After considering the entire evidence tendered driver Daniel Jack was charged under Rule 149(1) which reads: A driver shall take all reasonable and permissible measures during the course of a race to ensure that the horse driven by that driver is given full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible placing in the field. With the particulars of the charge being that he drove Sierra Gem in a manner that allowed her no respite by driving her forward from barrier 7 from the start to race outside the leader Gangster Boy and then continuingly driving her forward in an effort to lead when it was clear she was never in a position to obtain the lead.
Evidence disclosed that he was in a position to take hold and race outside of the leader to allow his horse some respite and it was reasonable and permissible to do so. However he elected to continue to press forward for approximately 1300 metres until Sierra Gem began to tire from approximately the 900 metre mark before dropping back through the field to finish 275 metres from the winner.
The stewards were satisfied that the way Daniel Jack drove Sierra Gem contributed to her tiring over the final lap and having no reasonable chance of finishing the race competitively.
Daniel Jack was found guilty as charged and his driver’s licence was suspended for a period of 8 weeks to commence midnight 13 February 2012.
