Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
SIMPSON
CHAMPION JOCKEY Trevor 'Slicer' Simpson will resume riding at Caymanas Park on Saturday following a five-day suspension imposed by the Jamaica Racing Commission for his failure to ride BADBOYBIN on its merits in the second race on Saturday, May 14.
Simpson has been stood down since riding ROYAL COMMAND in the Digicel Derby on Saturday, June 4.
During his forced vacation, the five-time champion has seen his lead whittle away by Brian Harding, who has ridden six winners in the past two racedays, thanks to back-to-back three-timers.
Going into tomorrow's midweek meet Simpson (37 wins) is only five ahead of Harding, who could make further inroads into his lead.
On Tuesday, May 31, the Stewards summoned Simpson to a hearing at the Winchester Road offices of the Jamaica Racing Commission re his riding of BADBOYBIN, who finished two lengths sixth to the 59-1 outsider LADY ISIS in the race in question, this over 1400 metres.
REFERRAL
The Stewards failed to accept the jockey's explanation and although having the power to impose the maximum 25-raceday suspension, thought the matter was out of their jurisdiction and referred his case to the full commission.
In a controversial decision on Thursday, June 9, the Racing Commissioners, including JRC chairman Rudolph Muir, imposed a five-day ban and $25,000 fine on Simpson, effective from the mid-week meet of June 8.
An official press report from the JRC stated in part.
"The Stewards reported the matter to the commission as, in their view, the breach warranted a punishment in excess of the Stewards' own authority.
"After viewing the patrol film of the race, hearing jockey Simpson's sworn testimony and submissions from Haldene Johansen, chairman of the Stewards' panel on the day and from trainer Dwight Chen, assisting jockey Simpson, who submitted that the horse was a particularly difficult horse to ride, the commission found that:
The horse BADBOYBIN was not allowed to run on its merits in the second race on May 14, as is required by Rule 200 of the Racing Rules, the consequence of which the horse did not obtain the best placing that it could in that race.
Jockey Simpson failed to 'ride out' his horse, as he was under an obligation to do so.
The commission therefore ruled that Simpson would serve a five (5) raceday suspension, with effect from June 8, 2005 and pay a fine of $25,000.
The commission also heard from trainer Richard Todd, who was questioned by the Commissioners as to the level of his satisfaction with Simpson's ride on the day.
President of the Jockeys' Guild, Robert Reid also made a submisson on Simpson's behalf.
NOTE: Reid rode SIR KISSON LAL in the race in question.
