Three-month suspension

Press, 13 February 1986, Page 30

Three-month suspension

PA Wellington The Hawke’s Bay jockey, Kim Treweek, was suspended from race-riding for three months on Tuesday after admitting he did not ride the horse, Noggin, on its merits in the Gressier Lodge Handicap at Otaki in October.

Treweek appeared before a sub-committee at Trentham to face two charges brought by an Otaki stipendiary steward, Noel McCutcheon. He was charged with failing to ride the horse on its merits and to take all reasonable measures to ensure that it had an opportunity to win the 1600 m event and that he failed to ride the horse out when there was a chance it might finish among the first five placings. Noggin finished eighth in the class two event which was won by Helen’s Joy.

The sub-committee comprised Messrs C. M. D. Kerr (chairman), D. R. G. Pringle and G. W. Ryder. Treweek was represented by

Mr G. J. Allan and Mr McCutcheon by Mr T. F. Fookes.

The hearing saw film of Noggin running in a 1000 m trial at Tauherenlkau, the race at Otaki, the class one Members’ Handicap at Masterton, in which he finished third, and the $20,000 Ramarama Country Inn High'weight at Franklin which he won.

Mr Fookes also read transcripts of Mr McCutcheon’s interview with Treweek. A written statement from Treweek was tabled. Mr McCutcheon’s counsel said the case was a serious one. Film of the race showed that, apart from flicking his left elbow on a couple of occasions, Treweek had not ridden the horse out.

No whip, hand or foot action had been used although, given the way Noggin was running at the 200 m, Treweek could have ridden harder.

Mr McCutcheon said Noggin could have won if ridden

correctly. He said film of the highweight at Franklin, when Treweek rode the horse to win, contrasted with his lack of vigour at Otaki. Mr Allan said Treweek admitted the charges and accepted his failure to comply with the rules of racing. He denied that he had deliberately set out to lose the race.

Treweek said Noggin had run out of condition and could not have been placed better than fourth or fifth. He accepted he had not ridden the horse well.

Mr Kerr said the committee felt the offence was "extremely blatant and one of the worst examples in our experience that we have seen under the rules of racing.” A substantial penalty was needed in the interests of racing’s image, he said. The committee took into account Treweek’s co-opera-tion and his recent record and did not order costs. He was suspended until May 10.