An in-form jockey has been suspended for breaching the whip rules in a midweek race at Flemington but the jockey will not miss a feature meeting through the ban.
Zahra was outed for six meetings after using the whip 12 times, seven more than allowed, before the 100m on runner-up Mandalay Bay in Wednesday’s Martini-Henry Handicap (1400m).
The jockey’s ban starts after he rides at Sunday’s Caulfield meeting which features the Group One Underwood Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
He can return the following Saturday for the Turnbull Stakes meeting.
Zahra is booked for eight rides at Moonee Valley this Friday night, including Derryn in the Group One Moir Stakes (1000m).
His book of eight rides at Caulfield on Sunday includes Gailo Chop in the Underwood Stakes, Lucky Hussler in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and unbeaten filly Shoals in the Group Two Thousand Guineas Prelude.
Apprentice Stephanie Thornton was also banned for six meetings for using the whip 11 times before the 100m in the same race on Wednesday aboard sixth-placed Think Alike.
Thornton starts her suspension after riding at Mornington on Saturday and can return for the Moonee Valley night meeting on October 6.
