Matt McGillivray has been hit with a one-month ban for causing severe interference in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast.
Have Your Say 🗣: Is a one month suspension fair or should he have gotten longer? – Leave a comment below.
Wow #MagicMillions interference @adrianlayt pic.twitter.com/9dM2OI7MTR
— 🇦🇺 (@pricey43) January 13, 2018
McGillivray rode Ef Troop who eventually finished fourth behind Sunlight in Saturday’s feature race.
Stewards charged McGillivray with causing interference at the 900m to eventual winner Sunlight, Secret Lady, and Jonker who hit the running rail.
McGillivray pleaded guilty and admitted he had erred.
“I was riding my horse along and tried to relieve the pressure on the inside. But I didn’t do it soon enough,” McGillivray said.
Stewards suspended him from midnight on Saturday to February 13.
Chief steward Allan Reardon said the suspension would have been longer but McGillivray did try to turn Ef Troop’s head at the point of interference.
Sunlight’s jockey Luke Currie copped a 12-day suspension for interference in an earlier race.
He pleaded guilty to causing interference on Oak Door at the 300m of the Magic Millions Cup (1400m).
The Melbourne jockey will return to riding on January 26.
