Apprentice Talia Rodder has won her appeal against a controversial six weeks suspension before Victoria’s Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.
Stewards suspended Rodder on November 24 after an adjourned inquiry into her riding of Robbie Laing-trained Serene Tanie at Moonee Valley on November 19, alleging she had not given the horse the best opportunity to win or be placed.
The stewards found Rodder asked her mount to do significant work in the early stages to take up a forward position and that between the 1100m and 800m failed to make sufficient effort to restrain her mount.
They also alleged that from the 800m Rodder allowed Serene Tanie to stride forward and placed her mount under further pressure by riding it along at the 600m. The race was won by Serene Tanie's stablemate Maquina, who ran home strongly after being suited by the fast pace.
She appealed against the charge and the severity of the suspension on November 25 and continued riding on a stay of proceedings.
The RAD board today upheld her appeal, cancelling the suspension that was imposed from November 28 until January 13.
Racing Victoria stewards have been criticised for laying charges against Rodder, especially from the Victorian Jockeys Association.
Evidence during the inquiry vindicated Rodder as having ridden Serene Tanie to the instructions of trainer Robbie Laing and supported her plea that her ride had been an error of judgement.
David Grace, QC, assisted by solicitor Peter Jurkovsky, appeared for Rodder at the appeal.
The RAD Board also upheld an appeal by jockey Andrew Mallyon against a 12-meeting careless riding suspension imposed at Cranbourne on November 26.
