Hugh Bowman has been cleared over the defeat of a beaten favourite in a Canterbury race.

An inquiry into Bowman's ride on Fulminate resumed on Monday after the David Vandyke-trained mare finished second to Darci Drama on December 13.

In spite of Vandyke's instructions to have Fulminate race near the speed, the mare settled much further back in the field.

She was momentarily blocked for a run at the top of the straight before running on to finish 1-3/4 lengths from the winner.

But while they were critical of Bowman for not taking up a more forward position, stewards said the jockey could not be blamed for Fulminate racing further back than planned.

An analysis of the sectional times from the race indicated the leader and eventual winner Darci Drama travelled 13 lengths faster than average to the 600m.

Stewards also found that had Bowman decided to take Fulminate wide on the turn instead of waiting for run, it may not have made any difference to his mount finishing closer to the winner.

However, the panel, chaired by Marc Van Gestel, told Bowman that he should at all times ride his mounts in a way that leaves no room for query.