Jason Waddell withdraws appeal

SINGAPORE,  22 July 2005

New Zealand jockey Jason Waddell's season in Singapore is as good as over.

Suspended two months on a charge of misconduct last week, Waddell on Tuesday withdrew his appeal against a two-month suspension over his handling of TOM HIGGS in the Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on June 25.

TOM HIGGS, who started favourite in that race, finished fifth to seven runners to WYNDAM GLORY.

At the resumption of an inquiry on June 7, after taking further evidence from Waddell and after viewing the films of TOM HIGGS’ previous runs, Waddell was found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 149.(a)(iii) for failing to ride to the satisfaction of the Stewards in the early part of the race.

The particulars of the charge were that whilst riding TOM HIGGS in the eighth race at the Singapore Turf Club Meeting on Saturday, June 25, 2005, from shortly after the start to approximately the 1000m mark, after jumping reasonably well at the start, he failed to maintain his position on the inside and alongside of GRAND CANYON (J Saimee) when he had the opportunity to do so and thereafter, this resulted in GRAND CANYON crossing his path and taking up the run on the inside fence, closer to the pace, which was to Jockey Waddell’s disadvantage.

Waddell subsequently exercised his right of appeal against the decision of the Stipendiary Stewards and the penalty imposed on him and was granted a stay of execution.

However, on Tuesday, the Race Meeting Stewards acceded to a request from Waddell to withdraw his Appeal against the decision of the Stipendiary Stewards and the penalty imposed on him. His deposit was forfeited.

The Race Meeting Stewards also determined that Waddell’s two months’ suspension in relation to the ‘TOM HIGGS’ case would be served consecutively ie. would follow on from his current two months’ suspension for misconduct.

In view of the above, he is therefore suspended from riding in races from Tuesday, July 12 July until November 11, both dates inclusive.