Good old Peter Moody … a salt of the earth, tell it like it is character if ever there was one … but, then again, there still remains a line you cross at your peril as Moody found to his cost when his comments regarding the performance in the saddle of jockey Blaike McDougal were leaked and circulated on social media.
The audio in question came via a Moody stable update to the owners of Amalgamation after the horses unplaced run at Cranbourne on Saturday and were certainly never meant to go public but, once it was out there, there was no taking it back … with the particular scathing nature of Moody’s description of McDougal’s ride also attracting the attention of Racing Victoria Stewards.
Importantly, McDougal has not laid any complaint after being targeted by Moody’s comments.
As reported on Racenet those audio comments sent to owners included several references to McDougal including, in part:
‘I’m sorry, I’ve got to apologise, Blaike McDougall just rode totally incompetently,’ and …
‘They walked in front and for some reason the brain dead ***** rider continued to drag the horse back and back and back,’ and …
‘The last few horses he’s ridden for me he’s ridden disgraceful … It was an absolute disgrace, he deserves to refund your training fees for that sort of performance,’ and …
‘He certainly won’t be on the back of your horse again.”
No punches pulled there and, to be fair, trainers giving jockeys a spray is hardly a rare occurrence, but, once these comments entered the public arena it became a different beast altogether … and Moody wasted no time in posting an absolute apology … to the jockey that is.
‘In view of a audio report from myself to clients in regards to jockey Blaike McDougall I wish to publicly apologise to Blaike for this unprofessional and unacceptable behaviour toward him. I have also privately done this. Unlike the client Blaike will continue to be part of MR,’ posted Moody.
The horse in question, Amalgamation, was transferred to the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable on Monday morning.
RV’s Chief Steward Robert Cram has confirmed that the matter is still under investigation.
