The Stewards of the RWITC, in their resolve in showing zero tolerance to suspicious and unsatisfactory performances on the race track, conducted an enquiry into the running and riding of two strongly fancied runners that ran in two different races on the 1st of February 2020. The outcome was sensational as three top professionals, two jockeys and a trainer came under the dock.

The Stewards of the RWITC viewed charges of unsatisfactory riding against top-notch jockeys Leigh Roche and A Sandesh and having found them guilty, suspended both jockeys for twelve days each. Leigh Roche’s riding atop Pesi Shroff schooled Valegro, and Sandesh’s ride astride Noble Heir trained by Vishal Gaikwad, had come under the scanner after the two top market fancies lost their respective races on February 1st 2020. Trainer Vishal Gaikwad too was fined Rs 100,000/- for tacit approval, as he stated before the Stewards that in his opinion he was satisfied that jockey Sandesh had put in his best efforts, but later on changed his stance.     

Valegro was the favourite to win the Ebco Livsmart Million on the Indian Derby eve. Valegro, who races in the front more often than not, encountered interference soon on start and was not able to get to the desired position as per the pre-race instructions of trainer Pesi Shroff. The Stewards noted that Roche did not make enough efforts to improve position and they were particularly curious why the jockey did not make the required headway between 1000m and 800m when he seemed to have a chance to do so. Again his efforts in the straight, the stewards felt, were found wanting. With the betting trends too showing a considerable upward drift in the bookmakers’ odds, the Stewards held that the jockey’s explanation was not convincing and he was handed a 12-day suspension for ‘unsatisfactory riding.’

In addition, trainer Pesi Shroff filed a written complaint against jockey Leigh Roche stating that he was dissatisfied by the latter’s riding on his ward in question.

Jockey Sandesh was questioned on the manner he rode favourite Noble Heir on the same day in the Gateway of India Million. Noble Heir too had seen a substantial upward swing in the odds at race time. The Stewards felt that Sandesh had erred in going inwards on turning for home where he should have and could have got his mount a much clearer passage had he made his bid from the outside. Also, they observed that Sandesh did not make serious efforts in taking the gap when it was available once in the straight. His riding effort too came under scrutiny and not being satisfied with his explanation/defence, Sandesh was suspended for 12 days.   

The Stewards also concluded that trainer Vishal Gaikwad was giving vague replies and was a touch evasive, but when finally confronted with a pointed question to what his take was on the rider’s efforts, the trainer agreed that Sandesh could have been more aggressive in taking the gaps in the straight. The Stewards concluded that the jockey would not have ridden in the manner he did without the tacit approval of the trainer, hence fined Vishal Gaikwad Rs 100,000/- .