Another More Joyous inquiry for Waterhouse

As Gai Waterhouse contemplates appealing her $5,500 fine handed down at yesterday’s inquiry, chief steward Ray Murrihy may open another investigation involving More Joyous.

gai waterhouse

Gai Waterhouse and stable rider Nash Rawiller in happier times. Photo by Steve Hart.

Racing New South Wales stewards fined the leading Randwick trainer $5,000 for failing to report that More Joyous had undergone treatment for a neck injury in the days leading up to her running in the Group 1 $400,000 Yarraman Park All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 27.

And she was also fined an additional $500 for failing to keep proper records as required by the Racing New South Wales rules.

After searching through stable treatment records for More Joyous which were presented as evidence during yesterday’s inquiry, Murrihy came across issues relating to More Joyous before her run in the Group 1 $400,000  Inglis Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 6.

More Joyous was sent out the $1.65 favourite that day, but was badly held up for a run in the straight and finished fifth to Guy Walter trained Appearance.

Murrihy had noticed in the treatment records that More Joyous was listed as lame on the Tuesday prior to the Queen Of The Turf and was monitored by the vet leading up to the race.

“On Tuesday, April 2, the vet’s book says, ‘still lame near fore, bit of heat in foot’,” said Murrihy.

“Then on April 3 it says, ‘More Joyous improved’.

“Did you report that leading into that particular race when she finished fifth in the Queen Of The Turf?” Murrihy asked Waterhouse during the day’s proceedings.

“She didn’t have an issue that would have affected her in the race,” Waterhouse replied.

“On the day of acceptances, she had improved.”

Murrihy said that he would further study the evidence and decide if Waterhouse has another case to answer.

“We’ve indicated to Mrs Waterhouse we’ll inquire into the matter as to whether there was a condition leading into the Queen Of The Turf, another Group 1 race that should have been reported,” Murrihy said.

“That information came from stable records. We copied the treatment book, and it was when looking back at the recordings of treatments, I picked that up.”

In her written statement Waterhouse also stated that several of her recent winners had received treatment for minor ailments which were manageable leading up to race day.

“But these are the ones who have won. What about the horses who have finished down the track?” Murrihy pointed out to Waterhouse.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.