How does a Jockey lose a winning Race? Ask Gavin Lerena or better still, look at the shocking display of professionalism he showed during the riding of Sea Passage in the 5th race on Saturday 4th Feb. He was clear with 150m to go and appeared to have won the race when commentator echoed “Sea Passage is well in command”. He began to ease his mount. To the dismay of the entire racing fraternity that proved disastrous as Heyouneverknow came and beat him. This is totally unacceptable by a professional Jockey . Have the NHRA done anything about this? I really wonder, because this certainly requires disciplinary action. You ride a horse to the line and unless a horse is lame you are never to stop riding. The world watches us daily and its a bad advert when we teach others how easy it becomes to lose a winning race.
via email – V Kanaipersad
Ed comments: The stipes report makes no mention of this, nor of the fact that Lerena appeared to stuck out his elbow when his opponent came alongside (the head-on gave that impression). We agree that is wasn’t a professional ride and equally wonder why the stipes asked no questions.
