Jim Crowley and Raul da Silva are riding at different tracks today, which is possibly for the best after Da Silva was banned for 21 days from 24 June by the stewards at Goodwood after an “altercation” in the weighing room left Crowley needing a stitch in a cut lip after a blow to the face from his fellow jockey.
Crowley did not comment on the incident on Sunday but Da Silva gave an account to the Racing Post in which he claimed: “Jim came up to me and was aggressive, telling me I was a danger out on the track, and I told him to leave me alone. It carried on and two or three jockeys held me back when I was trying to defend myself.”
The Goodwood stewards heard evidence from four more jockeys – Martin Dwyer, John Egan, Jack Mitchell and Richard Kingscote – as well as several racecourse employees including the clerk of the scales before reaching their decision to ban Da Silva for three weeks.
The incident occurred after the first race at the course on Sunday, in which Crowley was riding Charles Molson for Patrick Chamings and Da Silva was aboard Medieval, trained by Paul Cole, one of his principal supporters. Having watched it several times from start to finish, however, I’m still struggling to see what could have sparked violence in the weighing room a few minutes later.
Charles Molson was tracking Medieval down the home straight and they came quite close after Crowley pulled his mount out to pass his rival, but if anything it looked to be Charles Molson who was drifting very slightly off a straight line in Da Silva’s direction. Charles Molson went on to finish fifth, while Medieval faded rapidly into last place.
Something, though, caused tempers to flare, but unless Da Silva decides to appeal against the decision – and there is no sign of that at present – all concerned may be more inclined to draw a line under it and move on.
Crowley has several fancied rides at Brighton this afternoon and both Livvys Dream (2.00) in the opener and Medici Oro (3.00) an hour later should justify their positions at the head of the market.
The evening meetings at Windsor and Pontefract are the most valuable of the day with £72,000 on offer at one of Ponte’s most popular meetings of the summer. Contango (8.10) stepped up on his seasonal debut when third at York last time out and could be ready to strike, while Roundhay Park (7.40) should take the Mr Wolf Sprint Handicap. Come On Come On (8.20), who was between two subsequent winners last time out, looks like the best bet at Windsor.
Brighton 2.00 Livvys Dream 2.30 More Than Likely 3.00 Medici Oro 3.30 Regicide 4.00 Tawaafoq 4.30 New Rich 5.00 Following Breeze
Worcester 2.15 Hurricane Rita 2.45 Powerful Symbol 3.15 Robin The Raven 3.45 Andapa 4.15 Bright Tomorrow 4.45 Dory 5.15 Mr Mafia
Windsor 5.50 Rock Of Estonia 6.20 Dunkerron 6.50 Flying Sparkle 7.20 Another Eclipse 7.50 Just Right 8.20 Come On Come On (nb) 8.50 How Far
Pontefract 6.40 Freed From Desire 7.10 Becky The Thatcher 7.40 Roundhay Park 8.10 Contango (nap) 8.40 Swissal 9.10 Foxtrot Knight
Tips by Greg Wood.
