Super Swerte owner Leonardo “Sandy” Javier wants the result of last Sunday’s Presidential Gold Cup race won by horse Sky Shot “invalidated”.
In a letter of protest sent to Philippine Racing Commission chairman Reli de Leon on Monday, Javier accused Boss Emong jockey FM Racquel Jr. of “foul riding” — in which "a jockey intentionally strikes, pushes, holds or detain another horse or its rider in a manner that will prejudice or interfere with that horse’s chance of success or causes the unseating of the rider."
Javier explained that Raquel’s alleged foul-riding obstructed the path of Super Swerte heading into the final stretch, thereby allowing Sky Shot to win the 2,000-meter race at the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas and the P6-million top purse, the richest in Philippine horseracing history.
Sky Shot and Boss Emong are coupled entries of owner Edward Vincent Diokno.
After viewing the race footage, the board of stewards of the Metro Manila Turf Club, Inc. swiftly acted and penalized Racquel Jr. with a 156-day suspension.
But Javier was not satisfied, saying “that the results have been tainted with doubt and scrutiny.”
In his letter, he wanted the Philracom to invalidate the race, question or remove MMTCI stewards involved in the said for condoning such illegal act and disqualify the concerned horses and jockey who committed such violations.
“Attributing to the acts committed by the said jockey, the integrity and result of the game has been significantly affected. In order to restore the confidence of the horse breeders, owners, enthusiasts and the public, the undersigned ask your good commission, for the proper sanctions of all concerned individuals, who shows no great respect and sportsmanship,” wrote Javier.
Super Swerte jockey JB Guce and trainer Ruben Tupas also wrote separate letters of protest to the Philracom seeking the same penalties.
Nuclear Bomb came in second for the runner-up prize of P2 million, while Super Swerte placed third, worth P1 million for Javier. Rounding out the top six were War Cannon, Boss Emong and PGC defending champion Pangalusian Island (which took home P500,000, P300,000 and P200,000. respectively). The breeder of the champion horse in Esguerra Farms and Stud received P500,000.
It was learned that De Leon met the parties concerned for nearly five hours on Tuesday.
A decision will be made either on Friday or Saturday.
