Judgement day for jockey Richard Hughes

MUMBAI: Richard Hughes, one of the leading jockeys in the world, accused of elbowing jockey S Zervan in the Morellato by Gitanjali Lifestyle Million, the feature event of the last Sunday's Mumbai races, will know his fate on Thursday when stewards of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) hear him out.
The stewards had disqualified runner-up Star Trainer, ridden by Hughes, for foul riding when the Irish rider had apparently elbowed jockey S Zervan, rider of Elizabeth who finished seventh, soon after the start of the race.The stewards had later issued Hughes a show cause notice asking him to explain as to why they should not take strict action against him.
According to sources, however, Hughes had no option but to take that unfortunate action. "Soon after the start, Zervan had brought Elizabeth sharply in from the draw of 9 to be very close to Star Trainer who was running along the rails. When Elizabeth leaned over Star Trainer, sensing danger, Hughes had even shouted at Zervan to stay away from him. Few jockeys racing close to Hughes had clearly heard the shout, yet Zervan failed to steady his mount," informed sources.
"It had put Hughes in danger of falling over the rails and when his right shoe was damaged by brushing the rails, Hughes elbowed Zervan gently while holding reins with his hands. It was clearly an act in self defence," claimed sources.
Sources also pointed out a major discrepancy in the Race Day report and the show cause issued to Hughes. "The race day report just mentions that Zervan had shifted in, but the show cause notice admits that Zervan had shifted in and leaned over Star Trainer," claimed sources.
Meanwhile, Khushroo Dhunjibhoy, a member of the stewards' body, felt that stewards could have given a thought to the chances of Elizabeth in the race while disqualifying Star Trainer.
"Though the rules clearly say that foul riding attracts disqualification, in my opinion the stewards could have considered that the interfered horse Elizabeth had no chance of a place leave alone winning," said Dhunjibhoy.
Dhunjibhoy admitted that stewards do enjoy sweeping powers to suspend any rule at their discretion. "But in this case they had just few minutes to deliver the judgement and it would not have been possible for them to decide on suspending rules," observed Dhunjibhoy.