RANK and file punters, deserting racing in Queensland in droves because of a lack of confidence in the appeals system, were delivered a knockout blow when jockey Larry Cassidy won his appeal against a three month suspension yesterday.
In a decison which stunned the majority of the racing fraternity, the First Level Appeals body gave Cassidy the 'benefit of the doubt' after the premiership-winning jockey had been suspended for three months over his wide ride on Trump.
The Cassidy decision has stunned stewards, suggesting the matter could be taken to a higher authority. "We took the view the ride from Larry Cassidy was inexcusable and fell short of a rider of his capabilities and experience," Birch told Bart Sinclair of the Brisbane Courier-Mail.
"The fcat an Appeals Board would take a different view is disappointing and concerning because it must have an impact on the public level of confidence when betting on races in Brisbane.
"There has to be a standard and this ride fell below the standard."
Stewards have been finding it difficult to establish the 'burden of proof' under the new QCAT Appeals System which has integrity of racing in Queensland regarded as a standing joke interstate. Now the First Level Appeals body has let stewards down as well.
The system is frustrating the policing of racing in Queensland, and that associated with a series of major form reversals and a continuing string of beaten favorites, is seeing punters walk away from betting in the north in droves. They have far too many other options and the spring carnival is one of them.
The Cassidy decision was yet another major embarrassment for the RQ Integrity Department already under fire over widespread criticism of stewards in some jurisdictions, especially the country.
This Cassidy decision followed closely on the heels of RQ stewards electing not to proceed with a similar charge against Gold Coast jockey Chris Whiteley over a ride at Mackay. There is also a strong suggestion that a major swab case is very shakey.
Barry Taylor, the North Queensland lawyer who represented Cassidy, is certain to be heavily sought after in future for racing appeals.
When further details of the Cassidy appeal decision - and the reasons for it - come to hand we will will post that information on the web site.
