EL-ISSA RUBBED OUT UNTIL BOXING DAY

Jockey Bobby El-Issa was effectively rubbed out until December 26 when he picked up a two months suspension at Queensland Racing headquarters today.

The suspension is a sequel to an exhaustive investigation into El-Issa’s handling of the filly Miss Twist at Doomben on September 3.

El-Issa took Miss Twist to the front that day which was contrary to the riding instructions given by the owners’ representative. Miss Twist came back to her field early in the home straight and was hampered while weakening before dropping out to finish distant also-ran.

The race was won by Falzig, who is trained by Maryanne Thexton, for whom El-Issa was then a retained stable jockey. (El-Issa and Thexton have since parted company).

In his summation, Stewards’ Board Chairman, John Hackett noted that the Board was mindful of – and took into careful account - all of the evidence submitted (which included input from El-Issa, John Walk - the trainer of Miss Twist, Maryann Thexton – the trainer of the race winner Falzig, jockey Andrew Spinks and Ferris Jermanus, a sectional timing expert called by El-Issa to support his case that he was not racing too hard early).

Part of the board’s consideration was to weigh up very carefully “the purpose of the defiance of instructions and to ascertain whether the ride could give benefit to another runner.”

In that regard, Hackett noted that, “given the standard of proof required,” to make a case for what amounted to collusion, "there would have to be doubt in this instance" - and therefore El-Issa was duly given the benefit of the doubt and no such charged was laid.

But, at the conclusion of the investigation, El-Issa was charged on two other counts – under Rule 135 (b) and Rule 135 (c).

Rule 135 (b) reads: The rider of every horse shall take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his horse is given full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible place in the field.

Rule 135 (c) reads: Any person who in the opinion of the Stewards has breached, or was a party to breaching, any portion of this rule may be punished.

The Stewards Board laid these charges on the grounds of the fact that, “riding instructions had been ignored and Miss Twist was ridden in a manner which was totally against her established racing pattern.”

El-Issa was found guilty of the charges and suspended for two months.

The sentence will be served cumulatively with the one month suspension El-Issa is currently serving, which effectively takes the rider out of action until Boxing Day.

El-Issa did not take the decision well.

He told the Stewards'Board, “I’m not guilty. It doesn’t sound like you take anything into consideration.

“This is just personal. I’m pretty sure you’ve hit me with enough already.

“I’m not guilty. This is just a load of rubbish. It’s a kangaroo court. You haven’t a clue what you are going on about.”

“I’ll fight it ... and I’ll win,” was El-Issa’s last word.

Board Chairman John Hackett ignored El-Issa’s attack, and stuck to procedure, but his words were left hanging in mid-sentence as El-Issa walked out of the room while he was still being read his right of appeal.