Stewards' inquiry cloud over Paterson's title bid
Ben Paterson faces a hurdle in his bid to win his first Perth apprentices' title after stewards yesterday opened an inquiry into his ride on Durrahmoor in the twitter.com/rwwa Handicap at Belmont Park.
Paterson (30 wins) moved clear of rival Chris Parnham (29 1/2 ) when he booted home Gold Flight ($4.20) in the fourth race.
Parnham started yesterday on a high note, riding $2.60 favourite Thateldo to victory in the first race.
Stewards had an issue with Paterson over his vigour on Durrahmoore ($26) over the last 400m, before the mare's ninth to Metallica in the 1200m handicap.
Stewards also spoke to trainer Adam Durrant's foreman Jason Miller, but adjourned the hearing to speak to Durrant next week.
Miller told stewards Durrant was travelling to Broome with horses for next month's carnival.
Paterson is striving for a clean sweep of winter three-year-old features on Summah's Touch in Saturday's $80,000 Belmont Classic (2200m). She has won the Belmont Guineas (1600m) and Belmont Oaks (2000m) at her past two starts.
Parnham has been rewarded for his good strike rate for WA's leading owner-breeders Bob and Sandra Peters, replacing the suspended William Pike on Fashion Princess in the Classic.
He also rides Elusive Image (race 2) and Celebrity Miss (race 3) for the couple on Saturday.
Parnham and Paterson each have a full book on the eight-race card.
·Jockey Hugh Bowman is available for three of the last four Sydney meetings of the season despite a suspension at Randwick yesterday.
Bowman was banned for four meetings for his winning ride on Stocky in the first race, but had the dates of the suspension altered. He will miss one city meeting.
