Jockey Ric McMahon will fight to keep the ride on Stradbroke Handicap fancy Better Than Ready after being suspended at Doomben last Saturday.
Ric McMahon and better Than Ready winning at Eagle Farm. Photo by Daniel Costello.
McMahon was handed a nine meeting suspension for causing interference when he shifted out on Better Than Ready at the 300m in the Group 1 $650,000 Carlton Mid Doomben 10,000 (1350m) before running home to finish fifth to Epaulette.
Stewards outed McMahon from midnight on June 1 until midnight on June 14, making him available for the Ipswich Cup meeting.
But McMahon will appeal the sentence in a bid to retain the prime mount on Better Than Ready in the Group 1 $1.36m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 8.
Better Than Ready received 52.5kg when Stradbroke weights were released today, a weight that McMahon would be able to ride at after partnering Risk Aversion at that weight in the Group 1 $600,000 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on March 23.
McMahon had planned well in advance to get his weight down, and will be disappointed if he misses the Stradbroke ride.
“I rode Risk Aversion at 52.5kg in the Coolmore and that wasn’t a problem,” McMahon said.
“It’s not easy, but I have got plenty of time to prepare for the Stradbroke.”
McMahon has been aboard the Kelly Schweida trained colt at all his six wins as well as his third to Your Song in the Group 1 $400,000 Bundaberg Distilling Co. BTC Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 11.
Top Melbourne jockey Craig Williams replaced McMahon when the More Than Ready colt finished fifth in the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9 when only asked to carry 50.5kg, a weight well out of McMahon’s reach.
If McMahon’s appeal fails, Schweida won’t have any trouble finding a replacement rider with Better Than Ready emerging as one of the top fancies for the Stradbroke Handicap following his two superb efforts at weight for age at his last two starts.
Better Than Ready is currently the second favourite at $6 with Epaulette the top pick at $4.80.
Leading Melbourne jockey Glen Boss and Tim Clark were also sent out for careless riding at Doomben on Saturday.
Boss’ seven meeting suspension commenced at midnight on Saturday and the top jockey will be free to ride on Stradbroke Handicap day while Clark will miss five meetings from midnight June 1 until midnight June 9.
