Douglas Whyte charged for not riding out Kingston Town favourite
CHAMPION jockey Douglas Whyte produced one of his most embarrassing moments of his career at Ascot on Saturday.
The South Africa rider was aboard race favourite Scales of Justice in the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes and after hitting the lead nearing the line, Whyte appeared to stop riding just short of the post.
The lapse in concentration ultimately caused Scales of Justice from getting a fair chance at winning the race and Whyte has subsequently been charged with failing to ride his mount out.
It appears on replay Douglas Whyte misjudged the line at Ascot. Appeared to stop pushing Scales of Justice just before line.
— Andrew Bensley (@AndrewBensley) December 3, 2016
Perth stewards interviewed Whyte following the race and charged with under AR 137 (b) – failing to ride his mount out. Whyte pleaded not guilty to the charge, stating he resorted to hands and heels riding to coax the horse to the line as it was showing signs of fatigue.
The inquiry was adjourned to allow trainer Lindsey Smith and managing owner Chris Wells to be present. Racing snd Wagering Western Australia chief steward Brad Lewis said he wanted to resume “as quickly as possible”.
“We want to do it quickly,” Lewis said. “I have been advised by Lindsey Smith that the managing part-owner is going to Hong Kong soon.
“I have to work around that situation, whether I get him some vision or what. I’ll know more in the next day or two.”
Lewis also said stewards have made no conclusions whether the actions of Whyte cost the $5 equal-favourite a chance of winning the $1 million feature, but the nose margin certainly didn’t make punters feel any better.
I can’t believe I just saw Douglas Whyte stop riding Scale of Justice 3 strides before the line… and get beat a nose. #wtf? #sickening
— Daniel O’Sullivan (@TRBHorseRacing) December 3, 2016
Whyte responded by stating that “he never stopped riding” and that he “couldn’t have got more out of the horse”, but from the naked eye it wasn’t a good look on the big stage for Whyte.
Whyte has since flown to Hong Kong where he has eight rides on the Sha Tin card before riding in the International Jockeys Challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday.