Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Blake Shinn has been hit with a six week suspension for improper riding in a race at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Shinn reserved his plea then said he would consider his options in regard to an appeal after Racing NSW stewards charged him over two incidents in the back straight in the Thai Chay Handicap (1900m) aboard Halfwaytolondon.
Stewards were satisfied Brenton Avdulla on Glenstal Abbey had established a run to the outside of the leader Signoret’s heels entering the back straight.
They found that Shinn, who came from behind and to the outside of Avdulla, twice directed his mount inwards towards Avdulla’s horse in an attempt to pocket him, placing Avdulla in a dangerous position.
It was the first time since Shinn started his career in 2003 that he has been charged with improper riding.
“In terms of Blake Shinn’s riding style, it’s not something I can recall seeing from you since you’ve been in Sydney,” senior steward Greg Rudolph said to Shinn.
“I disagree,” Shinn replied.
“I’m a very competitive rider and I ride competitive all the time. Obviously I’ve misjudged it slightly here and I’ve got it wrong.
“I’m not going to stop riding the way I am, I’ve just got to address certain issues with my riding in some areas.”
The two gallopers made contact up to eight times down the back straight.
Avdulla was noticeably upset when returning to scale and even told stewards he thought what happened was “absolutely disgusting” when giving his evidence.
Shinn’s suspension is set to start after Sunday’s Randwick meeting and he is free to resume riding on July 2.
Shinn won the Melbourne Cup aboard Viewed in 2008 and was a Sydney premiership winner in season 2007/08.
He served a 12-month disqualification from November 2010 for betting on races and returned to the saddle late last year.
His suspension rules him out of the rest of the Brisbane winter carnival.
