Three riders suspended at Riccarton

Three jockeys were suspended by the judicial committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton yesterday, including Palmerston North's Darryl Bradley.

Near the 100-metre mark in Race 2, Family Present had to check to avoid the heels of race winner Beat It, who continued to shift out when ridden with the whip.

Bradley defended a charge of careless riding, but the judicial committee found the charge proved and suspended him for four days, effective from this Sunday, August 9 until the following Sunday, August 16 inclusive.

Beat It continued to hang out for the remainder of the event finishing on the outside of the track. Stewards advised trainer Michael Pitman that a warning was placed on Beat It regarding his racing manners.

An adjourned inquiry was reconvened into Tracey Newton's ride on Le Thunder in Race 4 of the South Canterbury meeting on July 19 for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures during the running.

As Newton pleaded guilty, the judicial committee suspended her licence for five days, effective from this Sunday, August 9 until September 13 inclusive.

An adjourned inquiry was reconvened into Shankar Muniandy's ride on Discovery Bay in Race 7 of the Canterbury meeting last Saturday for shifting in near the 800-metre mark.

As Muniandy pleaded guilty, the judicial committee suspended his licence for three days, effective from this Sunday, August 9 until August 28 inclusive.

Near the 800-metre mark in Race 7 yesterday, Some Justice (Darryl Bradley) had to be steadied when tightened for room by Metrical (David Walsh), who was inclined to hang in.

Near the 400-metre mark, Metrical, who was still laying in, shifted in, thus inconveniencing Some Justice and Lifter.

When questioned regarding the performance of favourite Ava Crown, who finished last in the final race of the day, jockey David Walsh could offer no explanation for the horse's performance.

A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

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