Johnson granted reprieve

Press, 17 May 1989, Page 39

Johnson granted reprieve

By

DAVID McCARTHY

The appeal lodged by Chris Johnson over the three-day suspension he received in the Godsin incident at Riccarton last Saturday will not be heard until next week and Johnson will be able to ride at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday. He can also ride at Gore on Tuesday. The hearing of the appeal is set for next Wednesday. Johnson’s appeal was lodged yesterday. He has a good list of rides available on Saturday though Grant Davison, who was to return from Adelaide last night, will resume his association with Wessex in the Chemico Handicap. Wessex was let off with light exercise at Riccarton yesterday but stablemate The Snob went smartly over 800 metres with Jan Kerr up.

Work was on the outside of the course proper, that decision bringing ironic comments from riders that it should be closer to the inside rail and “away from our raceday track,” following last Saturday’s incidents. The surface was testing and times were not especially fast though good work came from Bloodstone, Associate, Mister Fantastic, Impasha and Invitane.

Bloodstone remained at Riccarton after Trentham and has thrived. Associate seems to be over the problem which sidelined him last week and Impasha, a recent winner at the trials, could produce a bold effort this week. Course proper, wide out.

The Snob (Kerr) 800 m in 51.7 (39.8); Majestic Bay and Shirley’s Pal 800 m in 52.5 (40.2); Bloodstone (Dowling) with Traffic Dancer (Johnson) 1200 m in 1:19.5 800 m in 51.8, 600 m in 38.2 the former showing out; Maestri (Browne) and Applicate (Whitnail) 1200 m in 1:23 easing the last 800 m in 43.2, Maestri showing out; In The Purple gelding (Diane Pitman) with Susie Zephyr (Gerard) 800 m in 52.8 (38.1); Associate (Falvey) 800 m in 51.2 (39); Ferndale Lass and Wi'liam Leonard 800 m in 51.2; Mister Fantastic (McCann) with Lord Gizmo (Swann) 800 m in 52.3 (39); Impasha (Pitman) and Dester (Gerard), 800 m in 50.7; Just A Bogey (Cook) 800 m in 55.3 easing the last 600 m in 42; Invitane clear of Swept By 51.4. The Yapper 51.7; Advocate 54 (40.7).