I remember seeing Tony Culhane on True Courage a fair few years back do something just as bad, if not worse than Fallon and lose a race he clearly should have won (not on youtube however!!!)
The whole story revolving around giving the horse a 'breather' certainly doesnt wash with me at all. I believe its Fallon trying to give some sort of rationale to his ride. It was a shocking ride and no one can argue otherwise. However, we do see rides like that, maybe 2-3 times a year here where jocks ease up with a furlong to go and the horse loses.
I doubt Fallon knew the extra info about the horse re: the sales.
fellow jockey Daryll Holland in particular wasnt quite as supportive as could have been expected in the trial, but lets not forget the amount of trainers that have voiced their full support of Fallon throughout the trial.
To me Ive found it quite odd that an Australian steward was giving evidence with regards to English racing where the two countries differ on many aspects of race riding, notably suspensions given out for riding offences.
TO use the old cliche, at the end of the day, this is the ride that got Fallon into toruble. If he won this race, he wouldnt have been on trial. He'll get away with it, I think, but just by the skin of his teeth..
theres a few things off my chest now.
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