Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have today issued a charge against licensed jockey Mitch Aitken following an inquiry into his ride on Heavenly Emperor (NZ) in Race 4, the #LoveTheHorse Trophy (1600 metres), at Flemington on Saturday, 19 December 2020.
Mr Aitken has been issued with one charge under AR 129(2) which states that a rider must take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure the rider’s horse is given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field.
The Stewards allege that from the start to passing the 1400m, Mr Aitken rode Heavenly Emperor (NZ) vigorously at an extremely fast pace to a three wide position without cover outside the two leading horses.
The Stewards also allege that between approximately the 1400m and 1200m, Mr Aitken continued to ride Heavenly Emperor (NZ) along in a three wide position without cover outside the two leading horses at an extremely fast pace, during which time Mr Aitken failed to restrain the horse and position it behind Skiddaw to give it cover and respite (which was a reasonable and permissible measure to take).
In addition, the Stewards allege between approximately the 1200m and 1000m, Mr Aitken continued to ride Heavenly Emperor (NZ) along in a three wide position without cover outside the two leading horses at an extremely fast pace, without making any attempt to slow his speed to a more sustainable pace to give the horse some respite and enable it to finish the Race off (which was a reasonable and permissible measure to take).
The Stewards allege that Mr Aitken’s conduct, as outlined in the above two paragraphs, failed to ensure he gave Heavenly Emperor (NZ) full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field.
The charge will be heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.