Finalised stewards report from Rosehill on December 3.
Race 8: The stewards inquired into apprentice Shayne Guymer's handling of 12th placegetter Honest Lies. Evidence was taken from Guymer, his master Kevin Moses and John O'Shea, trainer of Honest Lies.
O'Shea gave evidence that his instructions had been to endeavour to position Honest Lies midfield and to follow the eventual winner My Destiny, however Guymer stated that when Honest Lies missed the start the opportunity to take up a midfield position was lost and he elected to cross behind the field from his wide barrier.
Racing NSW Betting Steward Terry Griffin gave evidence that the first 700m was run in the particularly fast time of 40.1 seconds (average 42.2). Guymer added that when the field strung out he was a victim of circumstances as he was caught behind Code Word and World Wide throughout the middle stages and had no opportunity to improve without going three wide and making a long run on a horse that he had been instructed to hold up.
O'Shea confirmed that Honest Lies responds best when held up for a short, sharp finishing run. When questioned as to why, when a run appeared inside Code Word on straightening, he did not immediately put his mount under full pressure Guymer stated that by this point of the race he had improved to be within some eight lengths of the leader, Stratana, and when Honest Lies continued to make good ground, he was mindful of his instructions not to place it under full pressure too far out from the finish.
He further stated that, when placed under pressure from the 300m, Honest Lies initially ran home well, but peaked on its run over the final 50m. Guymer was told in the view of the Stewards he should have made more effort to comply with the instructions of the trainer in the early stages, even given that Honest Lies had missed the start.
Guymer was told that he had then erred in his riding in the early part of the straight in that, being positioned as far back as he was, he should have immediately placed Honest Lies under full pressure.
