RV Stewards charge Jason Maskiell with serious riding offences

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Jason Maskiell to face tribual due to Seymour Ride
Victorian-based jockey Jason Maskiell celebrates with the trophy after guiding the Phil Cole-trained Smuggling to back to back wins in the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) on Alice Springs Cup Day at Pioneer Park last May. Picture: Nikki Westover Photography)

Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have concluded their investigation into jockey Jason Maskiell’s ride aboard My Schieller Wood in the Insuremyfleet Maiden Plate over 1600m at Seymour on Friday, November 15, 2024. The $10 PlayUp hope finished 12th out of 13 starters, trailing the winner by 25.55 lengths.

Following a thorough inquiry, the Stewards issued Maskiell with two charges, one under AR 129(1) and an alternative charge under AR 129(2). Both charges pertain to the horse’s handling during the race.

Jason Mskiell’s Summary of Charges

Charge 1 – AR 129(1): Failure to Ride on Merits
The Stewards allege Maskiell did not ride My Schieller Wood to its full potential, citing the following incidents:

  • 300m to 250m: Maskiell restrained the horse and failed to improve its position between Just Riff Raff and Vidocq, despite the opportunity to do so.
  • 250m to 150m: He continued to restrain the horse, neglecting another opportunity to improve.
  • Post-150m: After Frontline Action shifted out, Maskiell allegedly persisted in restraining the horse for the remainder of the race, failing to capitalise on available opportunities.

    • These actions are alleged to have resulted in the horse not being ridden on its merits.

    Charge 2 – AR 129(2) (Alternative): Failure to Ensure Best Possible Outcome

  • During the Race, Mr Maskiell failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that My Schieller Wood was given full opportunity to win or obtain the best possible place in the field, in that:

    a) From approaching the 300m until approximately the 250m, he restrained My Schieller Wood and failed to improve his mount’s position between Just Riff Raff and Vidocq where there was an opportunity, and it was reasonable and permissible to do so; and/or

    b) From approximately the 250m until approaching the 150m, he restrained My Schieller Wood and failed to improve his mount’s position where there was an opportunity, and it was reasonable and permissible to do so; and/or

    c) After Frontline Action shifted out in advance of his mount at approximately the 150m, he continued to restrain My Schieller Wood for the remainder of the race and failed to improve his mount’s position when there was an opportunity, and it was reasonable and permissible to do so.

    Mr Maskiell’s actions resulted in My Schieller Wood not being given the full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field.

    • The charges, classified as serious offences under the Rules of Racing, will be heard by the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT). A hearing date is yet to be determined.

    Under Section 50O of the Racing Act 1958, serious offences such as those under AR 129(1) and AR 129(2) must be adjudicated by the VRT. The Stewards cannot impose penalties in these cases.

    If found guilty, Maskiell could face sanctions under the Rules of Racing. No mandatory minimum penalty applies to these charges, leaving the tribunal with discretion in determining any potential penalty.

    The tribunal’s decision will set a precedent in the ongoing effort to uphold integrity in Victorian racing.

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