Apprentice Adam Hyeronimus survived a protest aboard Kinnersley but was hit with a careless riding suspension in the last race at Rosehill on Saturday.
Hyeronimus was outed for eight meetings for causing “quite severe” interference to rival jockey Jeff Penza aboard Country Hustle at the 800-metre mark of the Rosehill Gardens Handicap (1300m).
Eventual third placegetter Oakfield Commands ridden by Jim Cassidy was also hampered in the incident.
Cassidy mounted a strong objection against the winner on his 49th birthday, claiming Hyeronimus’ actions in crossing to the front from three wide when not clear of Penza and himself caused him to lose his rightful running in front and the chance to dictate the race.
“It made me lose my spot and relinquish the lead,” Cassidy said.
“With the interference not happening I would have dictated the speed.”
Kinnersley scored by a short neck over Romanus with a head to Oakfield Commands in third.
Stewards acknowledged Cassidy had grounds to protest but deemed the interference to his mount was on a much lesser scale than that caused to Penza.
They couldn’t be satisfied it had cost Oakfield Commands the race as it happened 800m from home and Kinnersley was holding him over the final 50m.
Hyeronimus pleaded guilty to the careless riding charge and will be out of the saddle from next Sunday until February 16.
“The interference to Jeff Penza is quite severe and to a lesser scale to the inside horse, although he did have grounds to object,” chief steward Ray Murrihy said.
“That’s not like Adam Hyeronimus, that’s not nearly good enough,” he added.
“If he (Penza) came down in front of the field it could have been horrific.”
Hyeronimus only recently transferred his indentures to Gai Waterhouse three weeks ago.
Oakfield Commands is prepared by trainer Darren Smith who was in New Zealand where Atomic Force was narrowly beaten in the Group One Telegraph Handicap (1200m) earlier in the day.
AAP TURF
