Racing WA stewards have today concluded the adjourned inquiry into Apprentice Kristo Sardelic’s riding and handling of YANKEE LIMA in Race 3, the KIMBERLEY QUARRIES HANDICAP (1600m) at Broome Turf Club on Tuesday, 20 August 2024.
Apprentice K Sardelic was initially questioned immediately following the race in relation to his riding through the early and middle stages where he continued to ride his mount along whilst positioned to the outside of the leader, THE CHIEF JUSTICE (C Nicol) before working forward to eventually cross to the lead from passing the 1100m with his mount being unable to finish off the race and tiring in the straight. It was noted prior to the race by the Stewards that the TABtouch fixed odds fluctuations for YANKEE LIMA were $5.5 to $12, THE CHIEF JUSTICE $2.4-$2.9-$2.25, with the winner MONEY FOR OLD ROPE $7.5 to $3.1.
The inquiry was adjourned to allow Stewards to conduct an analysis of all betting transactions in relation to this race and to review the previous performances of YANKEE LIMA in addition to the sectional time data which were not fully available immediately following the race.
Upon further questioning today, Apprentice Sardelic reiterated his original evidence that he was issued no specific riding instructions from Trainer D Pateman and from his own assessment of the race he had expected to lead, however he was obliged to continually ride his mount forward and pressure THE CHIEF JUSTICE to attain the lead when Jockey C Nicol resisted his challenge in an endeavour to hold the lead.
In reviewing the past performances of YANKEE LIMA and on their assessment of the race, Stewards were satisfied that it was reasonable for Mr Sardelic to believe that he could lead the race.
A comprehensive betting analysis was performed by Stewards Wagering Analyst, Mr Warren Wishart who obtained betting records from all the various corporate bookmakers, on-course bookmakers, and Betfair. Mr Wishart advised the inquiry that in relation to the overall fluctuation of MONEY FOR OLD ROPE ($7.50-$3.10) with TABtouch there was a total amount invested of $313. Further, there were no significant levels of investment or activity with other wagering service providers with a small number of professional punters betting within their normal limits. The records obtained revealed no areas of concern with those persons investing on the race doing so within their normal patterns and amounts. There was also no evidence to suggest that these persons had any connection with any trainer or rider involved in the race.
A review of the sectional time data revealed that the times recorded by YANKEE LIMA and THE CHIEF JUSTICE through the early and middle stages of the race were faster than average for races at Broome over the same distance with the first 800m being approximately 10 lengths inside the average. In the opinion of the Stewards, this demonstrates that Apprentice Sardelic was overly intent to lead by continuing to exert pressure on THE CHIEF JUSTICE to attain this position when his best option was to reduce the speed and forego the lead to give his mount the best opportunity to finish off the race.
Based on the entirety of the evidence, Stewards found no impropriety was involved and that Apprentice Sardelic had failed to exercise proper judgement by continuing to ride his mount along when it should have been apparent to him that it was in his best interests to forego leading and attempt to settle his mount behind THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
It was the Stewards’ opinion that Apprentice Sardelic’s riding of YANKEE LIMA lacked initiative and judgement when he persisted with his pre-race intentions to lead when the complexion of the race changed when it was evident that Jockey C Nicol was intent on holding the lead.
Although Stewards determined that Apprentice Sardelic had erred in his riding of Yankee Lima, having regard to his levels of experience and the degree of his error, it was not deemed to be culpable to the extent of being charged with an offence under the rules of racing.
Rather Apprentice Sardelic was informed of the requirement to attend the Riding Skills Panel under the provisions of AR144 to undergo remedial training in the areas of pre-race assessment and the need to improve his level of awareness and how to respond more effectively to changing circumstances through the race. Following this, Apprentice Sardelic will be expected to demonstrate improvement in all these aspects of race riding to prevent him from being open to such level of questioning by the Stewards in future.
Chief Steward Thoroughbred and Harness, Mr Brad Lewis, has reviewed the race and all the subsequent evidence gathered by the Stewards throughout their investigations of this matter and made the following comment:
“The riding of YANKEE LIMA by Apprentice K Sardelic has been comprehensively examined and I agree with the findings of the Stewards that there were no deliberate actions by any person to manipulate the outcome of the race and find the action taken against Apprentice Sardelic to be appropriate in all of the circumstances.”