The role of jockey managers is again under scrutiny, with Racing NSW stewards concerned by the activities of Josh Parr's agent John Walter.
Parr was grilled after his ride on beaten odds-on favourite Roheryn in the first race at Rosehill on Saturday, with stewards believing he did not move forward on the colt until it was too late.
After settling last, the James Cummings-trained Roheryn rattled home to finish 2-1/4 lengths second to Chess Star ($9.50) from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.
After adjourning the inquiry to study betting records and Roheryn's race patterns, stewards called Parr back to discuss the fact his manager John Walter, who runs a subscription tipping service, had the winner of the race on top.
Chief steward Marc Van Gestel asked Parr if he was aware of that, to which the jockey said no.
Parr told stewards he and Walter were not in the habit of discussing the service, only the form, and he had not spoken to him on Saturday.
“I haven't spoken to John all that much this week,” Parr said.
“We don't talk about that side (tipping service) of the business.”
Parr had no hesitation when asked to hand over his phone for stewards to examine.
In answer to the earlier questions as to why he did not improve Roheryn's position about the 800m mark, Parr said he believed the horse was doing his best as he approached the home turn.
“At that time it didn't seem possible,” Parr said.
“I would have had to take a three-wide line.”
Cummings told stewards he and Parr were obviously disappointed but pointed out that Chess Star was the obvious danger.
“Josh and I have exchanged no cross words,” Cummings said.
“Chess Star ran second in a trial to Redzel and Pierata was in the trial as well,” Cummings said.
“It's not my fault or Josh's fault Roheryn was $1.50.
“I don't think there was that much difference between them for one to be $1.50 and the other $10.”
As for the winner, Bott said Chess Star would now be set for the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas at the Gold Coast in January.
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