ElIssa disqualified for two years

What I want to know is why hasn't any charge been laid down to Norm Hilton?? And for that matter to say that Chris Munce wasnt also involved would be naive!!! Munce rode Essington to victory and then got the ensuing winning ride on Bold Glance next start!!

Talented Queensland jockey Bobby El Issa has been disqualified for two years for "failing to exercise sufficient vigour" aboard Bold Glance at Eagle Farm in February.

Queensland Racing stewards found El-Issa guilty of improper riding when Bold Glance finished second behind Essington in the $100,000 Falvelon Stakes (1200m) on February 26.

The stewards report read, "After considering all of the evidence, jockey B El-Issa was informed that the panel was unanimous in their rejection of his explanation for the manner in which he rode Bold Glance over the final 200 metres of the stated race. The live observations of stewards tendered into evidence at the initial hearing were relied upon, and on the basis of jockey B El-Issa's experience as a race rider, and with the benefit of having watched jockey El-Issa ride this and other horses in similar circumstances, stewards informed jockey El-Issa that they had formed a strong opinion that his actions over the final 200 metres were deliberate and conscious actions designed not to allow Bold Glance to run on its merits.

"In forming this opinion stewards had regard for jockey B El-Issa's body position on Bold Glance during the relevant period of the race. His position high over the horses back is inconsistent with his regular body position when attempting to derive the best effort from his mount. stewards also paid particular attention to the lack of movement through his legs and through his torso which is identifiable in his riding when embroiled in a tight finish. Furthermore stewards were of the view that the movement of his hands was an abbreviated movement inconsistent with a rider using vigorous hand and heels at the end of a race. stewards also considered the fact that jockey El-Issa did not turn the whip to forehand at any stage and used a minimal amount of whip on Bold Glance only striking the horse on three occasions in a backhand manner. This was viewed with attention to the fact that there is no specific prohibition on backhand use of the whip and no prohibition on the use of the whip inside the final 100 metres."

El-Issa indicated he would strongly appeal the decision.

Stewards also issued a charge against an alleged associate, well known racing identity Stephen Fletcher, claiming he had prior knowledge.

Fletcher was charged with being a party to jockey El-Issa not allowing Bold Glance to run on its merits.

Relating to Fletcher's charge, the stewards report read, "Stewards carefully considered the bet history of Mr Fletcher through the betting exchange Betfair. In the opinion of the stewards, Mr Fletcher's bet history illustrated a concerning level of confidence when laying horses ridden by jockey El-Issa. This is best represented by the fact that Mr Fletcher's ten (10) heaviest risks on thoroughbred racing in Queensland when laying horse were all horses ridden by jockey El-Issa and the abnormally high success rate of Mr Fletcher when laying horses ridden by jockey El-Issa which stands at above 90 percent.

The particulars of Fletcher's charge are;
(a) Jockey El-Issa rode Bold Glance in a manner to deprive it of its real and legitimate opportunity of winning the race in that after passing the 200 metres when Bold Glance was challenged by Essington, he deliberately and consciously rode Bold Glance with insufficient vigour which resulted in the Bold Glance not being fully tested and thereby not finishing the race off at its best.
(b) Mr Fletcher wagered on Essington to win and laid Bold Glance such that jockey El-Issa depriving Bold Glance of its opportunity to win the race to permit Essington to win assisted you to obtain a financial benefit of in excess of $30,000 and retain a stake of in excess of $55,000.
(c) Mr Fletcher was aware of jockey El-Issa's intention that he not run Bold Glance on its merits.
(d) Mr Fletcher made jockey El-Issa aware of his intention to back Essington and lay Bold Glance.
(e) At all material times Mr Fletcher, a professional punter, and jockey El-Issa were close associates.

After hearing submissions from Fletcher, stewards adjourned the matter to enable him to submit further records of his bet history.