All Caulfield Cup jockeys have been cleared after an investigation into the tragic incident that resulted in runner Ohope Wins being euthanised.
Racing Victoria stewards released their investigation on Tuesday declaring they “could not attribute the incident to the careless actions of any one particular rider”.
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Jockeys Rachel King, Jabez Johnstone, Ethan Brown, Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were all probed after the dramatic collision just 300 metres from the finishing post in one of the nation’s biggest races.
Green Spaces, ridden by King, and Johnstone’s mount Kings Valley were bumping on the home turn before reigning winner Half Yours (Zahra) was tightened.
It then tripped causing McNeil, riding Ohope Wins, to crash to the ground while trying to avoid Half Yours.
Both McNeil and Half Yours’ jockey Zahra escaped serious injury with neither ruled to have been concussed despite the heavy nature of their falls.
“Stewards are of the view that the marginal shifts from both Green Spaces, when under pressure, and Kings Valley resulted in both those runners becoming unbalanced and shifting in ultimately resulting in Half Yours being tightened and falling,” the report stated.
“Further, stewards were satisfied Zahrann and Half Yours had both established a clear run prior to Half Yours meeting with interference.”
The report stated King and Johnstone had taken “the necessary corrective measures to straighten and relieve any pressure caused by their mounts to Half Yours.
“Furthermore, Ethan Brown rider of Zahrann had not contributed to Half Yours being tightened for room.”
There was no issue with the track surface.
Half Yours has since been sent for a spell ruling him out of defending the Melbourne Cup.
Ohope Wins’ trainer Chris Waller was visibly upset when he for the first time about the incident on Tuesday.
“They’re pretty resilient, the people that look after these horses, they obviously love them dearly, and they’re pets, just like a cat or dog,” Waller said at Flemington.
“So, yeah, it’s always tough when there’s a missing (horse) in the stable.
“I’ve spoken to Jye. He’s improving with each day, and it’s great to see him out of hospital. He’s come out of it pretty well.”
The race was won by Kingswood.
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