Opie Bosson has escaped sanction for his losing ride aboard Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) in last month’s Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Te Akau Shark finished third behind Dreamforce and The Bostonian in the George Ryder as $1.95 favourite after covering extra ground throughout.
Racing NSW stewards concluded their investigation into Bosson’s ride on Wednesday and whilst acknowledging his tactics to not be unreasonable, believed they ‘fell below the standard expected of a jockey of his calibre’.
Bosson justified the wide path plotted by Te Akau Shark as he believed the inside section of the track was inferior and that he wished to follow The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) into the race with clear running in the straight.
Stewards believed he made an error of judgement in not securing a position to the outside of Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy) in the early stages of the race which would have allowed the Rip Van Winkle five-year-old gelding cover through the first half of the race.
Stewards observed betting records from the George Ryder which uncovered no integrity concerns from wagering activity.
Bosson is booked to ride the Jamie Richards-trained Te Akau Shark in this Saturday’s $2 million Group 1 Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
Te Akau Shark is $6 third favourite to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with BetEasy behind Danon Premium ($3.50) and Addeybb ($4.60).
