Orville Clarke, Freelance Reporter

Apprentice Jason Simpson - file

Apprentice Jason Simpson was yesterday cleared by the stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (J.R.C.) for his indifferent ride aboard MISS PAIGE in the sixth race at Caymanas Park on Wednesday, July 18.

Simpson could have received the maximum 25-day suspension had he been found guilty of not riding the horse on its merit.

MISS PAIGE closed on a tight rein to finish third to the even-money favourite WAGONIST in a $315,000-$290,000 claiming race over the straight five course, but the stewards were not satisfied with Simpson's riding of the Rowan Mathie-trained filly and summoned him.

The inquiry, which started at the Winchester Road offices of the J.R.C. on Tuesday, July 31, continued yesterday in order to allow trainer Mathie to appear.

After viewing the patrol film of the race and hearing evidence from Mathie, Simpson was cleared but cautioned by the the three-man stewards' panel to exercise greater discretion in the future.

According to operation steward Desmond Riley, Simpson's explanation was accepted on the grounds that his claim was supported by Mathie.

"Simpson claimed that the horse pitched coming out of the starting gate and kept changing her lead leg. He said he was reluctant to ride the horse and kept looking down as he was concerned about his safety and never really rode all out," disclosed Riley.

"He was asked why he didn't use his whip at all. He replied that he was given instructions by the trainer not to beat the horse as she had a tendency to become swollen.

Instructions

"Mathie confirmed that he gave Simpson instructions not to beat the horse for the same reason. We asked Simpson why he never used the whip because we felt it could have been used judiciously, but he said using the whip would have made matters worse," stated Riley.

Mathie, in his submission, said he told the jockey not to beat the horse and even so, the horse came out of the race with swollen joints. He even asked the veterinarian, Dr. Aston Marsh, to look at the horse the Sunday after the race (July 22).

"The commission's vet, Dr. Sophia Ramilal, confirmed examining MISS PAIGE on the Monday and 'all was not right with her,'" explained Riley.

Given all of the circumstances, the stewards' panel comprising Riley, Haldene Johansen and chief operations steward, Lloyd Cobran, Simpson was allowed to walk.

He is seventh in the 2007 jockeys' standings with 24 winners, but is currently sitting out a second three-day suspension for careless riding aboard SOFTLY MY DEAR in the seventh race on the same day, July 18.