No jockey at fault for Caulfield Cup fall

A Racing Victoria inquiry found no jockey was careless in the fall that claimed the life of Ohope Wins and brought down Half Yours in the Caulfield Cup.

RV stewards closed the inquiry on Tuesday after reviewing rider testimony and multiple camera angles from Saturday’s $6.55 million race, saying no individual rider was responsible for the chain of events that led to the fall.

Ohope Wins, ridden by Jye McNeil, could not avoid Half Yours after the latter fell at the 300m, sustaining a serious injury.

A New Zealand Oaks and ATC Australian Oaks winner, Ohope Wins received immediate veterinary attention but could not be saved.

An inquiry began on Saturday, with evidence taken from Ethan Brown, who rode Zahrann, Rachel King, Green Spaces’ rider, and Kings Valley’s apprentice jockey, Jabez Johnstone.

The hearing was adjourned when Half Yours’ jockey Mark Zahra and McNeil were taken to hospital, and both riders provided evidence when it resumed at Racing Victoria’s offices on Tuesday.

Stewards found the incident began when Kings Valley shifted marginally out and Green Spaces moved in slightly under pressure while tiring, causing the horses to make contact.

Green Spaces became unbalanced after Kings Valley brushed his hindquarters, then turned inwards and shifted further in, making additional contact with Kings Valley and causing that runner to lose balance and move inwards.

The resulting tightening affected Half Yours, which was squeezed between Kings Valley and Zahrann, with Brown’s mount having established clear running around the tiring Royal Supremacy.

Half Yours fell a short distance later, leaving Ohope Wins, which was trailing the runners, unable to avoid the fallen horse.

After reviewing the evidence and footage, the stewards determined that the marginal movements by Green Spaces and Kings Valley caused both horses to become unbalanced and shift inwards, ultimately tightening Half Yours for room.

Stewards found that King and Johnstone took the necessary corrective action to straighten their mounts and relieve pressure on Half Yours, while Brown did not contribute to the tightening.

Stewards were also satisfied that Zahrann and Half Yours had established clear running before the interference occurred, and confirmed they would take no further action against any rider.

As standard practice after a serious incident, stewards inspected the section of track where the horses fell and found no safety concerns with the racing surface, and the 10th race was subsequently run without incident.

Racing Victoria’s Veterinary Services Department has referred Ohope Wins’ death for review.

Co-trainer Tony McEvoy advised that Half Yours had received treatment for lacerations and abrasions and was recovering well, but would now be spelled.

McNeil has since been cleared of injury and is expected to resume riding at Wednesday’s Geelong Cup meeting, while Zahra was due to meet with his doctors again on Tuesday.