UNDER-fire former jockey Allan Robinson had reassured race officials he would attend Monday's More Joyous inquiry only for his lawyer to reveal last night that he would be calling in sick.
"Without going into his health issues I can assure you he is not up to the task in his current condition," Chris Murphy said, according to a report by RAY THOMAS in the SYDNEY TELEGRAPH.
"He soldiers on.
"I can indicate that he is not going to be put at risk by the pressures of attending the Ray Murrihy investigation."
Robinson retired from racing in 2010 after a career-ending fall.
He, NRL legend Andrew Johns and Sydney brothel owner Eddie Hayson face being warned off racetracks around the world if they refuse to appear at the stewards' inquiry.
The trio have been asked to provide statements to Racing NSW stewards detailing their involvement, if any, in the scandal that has rocked Sydney racing.
Stewards are expected to make a formal request as early as today for Johns, Hayson and Robinson to appear in person and provide evidence at Monday's inquiry into More Joyous' All Aged Stakes flop.
"Any person that is asked to attend the inquiry and does not do so can be dealt with under the rules of racing," Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys said last night. "The board of Racing NSW or the stewards have the power to impose certain penalties including issuing a warning off. This may seem a bit extreme but it is not without precedent."
It's understood that Racing NSW investigators interviewed Johns today. Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy said evidence from Johns, Hayson and Robinson is crucial to the investigation into what was said prior to More Joyous' flop in the All Aged Stakes last Saturday.
"The chances are all three will be asked to appear," Murrihy said last night. "We have already requested each provide a statement which the stewards will also consider." Johns and Hayson have been registered owners previously but it is understood neither has a share in a racehorse currently in training.
"As a recently registered owner our legal advice is that Andrew Johns, if asked, will be required to attend the inquiry," V'landys said. "We are going to try and get everyone to the inquiry that is pertinent to the stewards' investigation."
Johns is understood to have hired former ARL chairman and Sydney solicitor Colin Love to advise him.
The notoriously media-shy Hayson also has legal representation and is considering whether to appear at Monday's hearing.
Up until last night's tweet by Murphy, all indications were that Robinson would be attending and The Daily Telegraph understands he had assured race officials yesterday.
John Singleton, owner of More Joyous, has claimed bookie Tom Waterhouse told people More Joyous had a problem and could not win the race. Waterhouse has repeatedly denied those allegations and said a More Joyous win was a $300,000 better result for him.
Johns said on Channel Nine's The Sunday Footy Show that Waterhouse had said More Joyous was "off" but later clarified his comments and said Waterhouse had never mentioned the health of the horse. Singleton subsequently confirmed that Johns and Robinson contacted him about More Joyous on race morning.
Murrihy said stewards are "exploring the fitness of More Joyous in the week leading up to the race.
Gai Waterhouse, who has been sacked as More Joyous' trainer, has told stewards the mare received an antibiotic on Thursday morning but the trainer stated she did not believe it was an issue she needed to tell stewards about.
It is understood Racing NSW has received a request - believed to be from Gai Waterhouse - for legal representation on Monday.
"The rules don't allow automatic legal representation but if an application is made stewards will consider that," Murrihy said.
STORY SOURCE: SYDNEY TELEGRAPH - NEWS LIMITED.
