Top jockey Brenton Avdulla’s return to Australia has been soured by a lengthy suspension arising from the Queensland Oaks.
Avdulla was having his first day back in Australia at Doomben on Saturday after a riding stint in Japan.
He was suspended for 15 days after his Oaks mount Aliferous was found to have caused interference to On The White Turf on the home turn.
His ban begins on June 10 allowing him to ride at Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap meeting at Eagle Farm.
Fellow jockey Larry Cassidy was suspended for nine days for shifting in on Mrs Madrid and causing Sampson to be checked near the 1600m of the P J O’Shea Stakes.
Cassidy’s ban begins next Sunday after he rides Princess Posh in the Stradbroke.
In another incident at Doomben, apprentice Michael Murphy was fined a total of $1500 after he had to be replaced on Echo Effect in the Moreton Cup because he was overweight.
He was fined $500 for the weight offence and $1000 for misbehaviour after being fined.
On the Gold Coast apprentice Clayton Gallagher was suspended for two weeks after refusing a stewards direction to hand over his mobile phone.
Queensland stewards hope to resume an inquiry this week into champion jockey Jeff Lloyd’s ride on Lady I Am in the last race at the Sunshine Coast on Friday.
Lloyd, who has announced he will retire on July 13, had earlier ridden a winning double.
Lady I Am started $3.40 favourite and after being with the leaders at the 250m mark dropped out to run last beaten about 17 lengths.
An inquiry was opened into Lloyd’s riding in the home straight and after taking initial evidence, stewards adjourned the hearing.
Stewards are also set to hear allegations of five swab irregularities against horses from trainer Ben Currie stables on Monday.
