Walsh riding today

Press, 21 April 1984, Page 25

Walsh riding today

PA Wellington The Feilding rider, David Walsh, who was suspended at Otaki on Wednesday, has been cleared to ride on his home course today. However, the suspension, which was for three riding days, was confirmed and will be served.

Walsh was sidelined following the running of the Te Roto Handicap at Otaki, when he rode Royal Vain into second. The horse was relegated to sixth behind Miss March and Walsh was put out. Subsequently Walsh sought leave to begin his suspension after the first day of the Feilding meeting and miss the last day of that fixture as well as Manawatu on Anzac Day and the first day of the Woodville meeting, April 28. The judicial committee at Otaki refused the request. Walsh appealed the severity of the sentence, and he sought a deferment of penalty until after Easter. The finding of the subcommittee noted that the case of interference was not a minor one and the suspension was the proper course of action. A deferment of penalty, the committee noted, was only granted in exceptional circumstances. A full book of rides and a monetary loss were irrelevant in such matters. “Further we considered that there are special circumstances that have arisen, as evidenced by the letter from the Feilding Jockey Club (noting a shortage of riders) as part of the case.” The judgment noted that in normal circumstances a postponement would probably not have been grantd, but the action had been taken because of the special circumstances surrounding Feilding. The suspension will begin after racing on April 21 and continue until after racing on April 28. The committee comprised C. M. D. Kerr (chairman), D. S. M. Crombie and D. R. G. Pringle. Mr J.' Delaney appeared for Walsh.