After serving a month-long suspension, leading jockey John Allen is gearing up to make his much-anticipated riding return in Monday’s Darwin Cup.
The 38-year-old rider was sidelined following an inquiry into a fall involving Linda Meech at Flemington on June 17, which resulted in a significant 30-meeting suspension.
While on holiday in the Northern Territory with his fiancee and trainer, Emma Church, Allen seized the opportunity to ride Grandslam in the feature event of the Darwin Cup.
The gelding, whom he has previously ridden four times, including an impressive performance in the 2020 Caulfield Guineas, is now under the care of trainer Gary Clarke after being with Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable for 22 starts.
Despite Grandslam’s disappointing first-up performance under Clarke’s guidance on July 15, Allen remains optimistic that the horse will bounce back and deliver a competitive run in the prestigious event.
The suspension, which commenced on July 5, is set to expire at midnight on August 5, allowing Allen to return to racing for the Darwin Cup.
Following the event, he plans to extend his holiday before resuming riding duties in Victoria later in the month.
