By Patrick Bartley
Perth: The chances of champion Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte competing in next weekend's rich international series could hinge on evidence from Perth trainer Lindsay Smith and the owners of high-class galloper Scales Of Justice.
Late on Saturday night Whyte, a 13-time champion jockey of Hong Kong, was charged with not riding out his mount, Scales Of Justice, in the final stages of the $1 million Kingston Town Classic.
Champion Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte.Credit: Getty Images
The contentious point of the race came in the final 20 metres when, according to stewards, Whyte did not ride out his mount in the final two strides.
Whyte's mount went down by a short half-head to Victorian galloper Stratum Star.
Much of the stewards' evidence is a Hawk-Eye replay, which neither Smith or the owners have had the opportunity to view.
Chief steward Brad Lewis stopped the inquiry when it was discovered that Smith and the owners of Scales Of Justice had left Ascot and were not afforded the opportunity to see the Hawk-Eye vision.
However, Smith was contacted by stewards and he told them over the phone that he "had no problem" with Whyte's ride and he was also echoing the sentiments of the horses owners.
The trainer added "(he was) beaten fair and square".
Deputy chief steward Harold Taylor, who viewed the race from the head-on tower, said he believed Whyte stopped riding momentarily and misjudged the finishing post.
However, Whyte flew out of Perth late on Saturday night to take a strong book of rides at Sha Tin on Sunday.
"I never stopped riding the horse at all, my left hand hasn't stopped moving, his (Scales Of Justice) momentum doesn't stop. I couldn't get any more out of the horse," Whyte said.
Whyte next weekend's round of international races in Hong Kong is that country's most important program of races of the year.
In contrast to Whyte and the prolonged inquiry into the South African-born jockey's riding in the concluding stages of the Kingston Town Classic, successful Victorian trainer Darren Weir became one of the most popular horsemen to ever come to Ascot racecourse as he put $5,000 on the bar for the patrons just an hour after his stallion scored in the race.