Jockey Benny Woodworth has been hit with a six-month ban from riding after stewards found him guilty of failing to ride to their satisfaction aboard the Jason Ong-trained SILVER DRAGON in Race 1 of the card on Saturday, May 25.
With the curtain coming down on Singapore racing on October 5 and the popular Woodworth suspended until early December this year, it spells a premature end to the popular Malaysian jockey’s longstanding career in the saddle at Kranji, pending the outcome of his appeal.
If you backed SILVER DRAGON, which finished sixth, three lengths off the winner, you’d feel physically ill every time you watch the replay, no matter the angle.
Stewards subsequently launched an inquiry into Woodworth’s handling of SILVER DRAGON, which concluded on Wednesday, May 29. Woodworth was found guilty under MRA Rule 44(10), which reads: ‘Any jockey who fails to ride his horse to the satisfaction of the Stewards may be warned, fined, and/or suspended.’
The particulars of the charge are that from near the 350m until near the 250m,he failed to ride with sufficient vigour and determination to improve SILVER DRAGON into a run between BEN WADE and CHEVAL MAGNIFIQUE.
This resulted in him being disappointed for run between both these horses near the 250m, when CHEVAL MAGNIFIQUE shifted inwards slightly, and having to shift SILVER DRAGON outwards and then being held up until passing the 100m; and inside the final 100m, he failed to shift SILVER DRAGON inwards into clear running to the inside of CHEVAL MAGNIFIQUE when there was an opportunity to do so.
Woodworth was suspended for six months, with the suspension effective from Sunday, June 2, 2024, to Sunday, December 1, 2024. He was advised of his right to appeal, which he exercised on Thursday, May 20.
He subsequently applied for a Stay of Penalty, but after consideration on Friday, May 31, 2024, the Panel of Stewards denied the request. Woodworth’s appeal will be heard at a date to be determined.
