Five jockeys suspended at Doomben

Jockeys could be facing harsher careless riding penalties over the winter carnival after five riders were suspended at Doomben on Saturday.

Racing Queensland’s chief Steward Wade Birch is also considering introducing fines as well as suspensions after being very disappointed with the standard of riding on Saturday.

“I’d expect a far better effort from the riders than what we got on Saturday,” Birch said.

“I spoke to the jockeys prior to the Doomben Roses and warned them to be careful. I’ve not previously been inclined to issue fines as well as the suspensions for careless riding incidents but I’m now giving that serious thought.”

Nash Rawiller received the heaviest penalty of ten meetings for causing interference on the turn out of the straight in the Group 1 $500,000 Kirks Doomben Cup (2000m).

Rawiller crossed over on eventual winner Mawingo causing Luke Nolen on race favourite Manighar to check and loose ground, prompting Nolen and trainer Peter Moody to fire in a protest after finishing third, two lengths from the winner.

Stewards dismissed the objection but suspended Rawiller for ten meetings, expiring at midnight on June 8, leaving him free to ride at the Stradbroke Handicap meeting the next day.

Rawiller defended his actions, maintaining he left enough room for Nolen on his inside, but stewards disagreed.

“I was one off the fence and left enough room for Manighar,” Rawiller told stewards.

“I was out there and I know what happened. I never shifted in and left room on my inside.”

“If Luke Nolen thought I was guilty or even 90 per cent guilty he would have gone in heavy in the protest hearing but he didn’t.”

“I don’t agree my actions were careless.”

Other riders to be outed for careless rising were Peter Mertens, Opie Bosson, Vlad Duric and Paul Hammersley.

Mertens looks like loosing the Queensland Oaks ride on the Clarry Connors trained Invest if he fails in an appeal against his eight meeting careless riding suspension.

Mertens rode Oaks hope Invest to win the Group 3 $175,000 Hidden Dragon The Roses (2000m) and the filly looms as a great chance to win her second Group 1 race in a month after taking out the $400,000 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on April 28.

Bosson was also suspended for an incident in the Roses and was outed for seven meetings starting from midnight on Sunday, May 20 and to expire on midnight, Saturday June 22.

Duric and Hammersley were both suspended for seven meetings for separate incidents in the last race of the day, the Group 3 $125,000 Darley BRC Sprint (1350m).

Duric’s suspension begins at midnight on Saturday May 26, and expires at midnight Friday June 8 while Hammersley is out from midnight Saturday May 19 until midnight Friday June 1.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.