Racing Victoria stewards have wrapped up their investigation into the fall that occurred during the Caulfield Cup, clearing all jockeys who were questioned.
Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were dislodged from their mounts, Half Yours and Ohope Wins respectively, in Saturday’s running of the Caulfield Cup. They were subsequently transported to the Alfred Hospital for medical assessment and observation.
Zahra was released from hospital on Saturday evening, with McNeil following suit the next morning.
While Half Yours managed to get back on its feet and cantered away, Ohope Wins sustained a severe racing injury and tragically had to be humanely euthanised.
RV stewards initially gathered evidence on Saturday from Rachel King, who was riding Green Spaces, apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone (Kings Valley), with assistance from Victoria Jockeys’ Association Chief Executive Matt Hyland, and Ethan Brown (Zahrann).
The inquiry reconvened on Tuesday at RV headquarters, where testimony was taken from the five jockeys and Hyland.
“Following a thorough review of the evidence of the riders along with Mr Hyland, which was inclusive of numerous camera angles, Stewards could not attribute the incident to the careless actions of any one particular rider,” RV stated.
“The Stewards are of the view that the marginal shifts from both Green Spaces, when under pressure, and Kings Valley resulted in both those runners becoming unbalanced and shifting in ultimately resulting in Half Yours being tightened and falling.
“Further, Stewards were satisfied Zahrann and Half Yours had both established a clear run prior to Half Yours meeting with interference.
“Stewards found that Rachel King and Jabez Johnstone had both taken the necessary corrective measures to straighten and relieve any pressure caused by their mounts to Half Yours.
“Furthermore, Ethan Brown rider of Zahrann had not contributed to Half Yours being tightened for room.
“As is routine practice, prior to resuming racing Stewards conducted an inspection of the track where the incident occurred and found no safety issues with the racing surface.
“Race 10 was subsequently conducted without incident.”
Co-Trainer Tony McEvoy reported that Half Yours had been treated for lacerations and abrasions and was recovering well, though the horse would now be sent for a spell.
McNeil has since been cleared of any injury and is anticipated to return to riding at Geelong on Wednesday, while Zahra was scheduled to consult his doctors again on Tuesday, with a decision on his likely return to racing expected thereafter. You can find the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites.