Hailed as heroes, suspended and exhausted, jockeys have felt the full spectrum of racing in testing conditions at Warwick Farm.
Blake Shinn landed himself in hot water for his ride on Ignite The Light in Wednesday’s first race.
While the James Cummings-trained colt Gauguin won the race to put himself in contention for a Group One berth during the autumn carnival, Shinn was in trouble for causing interference to Leigh Roche’s mount Krupskaya rounding the home turn.
In a tense exchange with acting chief steward Philip Dingwall, Shinn insisted the video replays didn’t represent what had happened during the race.
Shinn said he had been on heels for most of the race prompting Dingwall to question him about making contact with other horses.
“Who said I checked heels? Are you putting words in my mouth?” Shinn asked Dingwall.
While Dingwall withdrew his assertion, he had earlier repeatedly pressed Shinn to answer a question about whether there was room to shift in.
Shinn pleaded not guilty but finished with a five-meeting suspension which he plans to appeal.
Jockey Tye Angland fared better than Shinn with trainer Clarry Conners saying his engagement was crucial to Dorf Star winning his third-straight race.
Dorf Star ($7) won the Tab.com.au Handicap (1400m) from ($20) Lancelot with Snitzel Knight ($4.60) third.
“The whole key to him is Tye Angland,” Conners said.
“That’s five wins he’s had now and Tye’s ridden him every time he’s won.”
Brenton Avdulla didn’t get to celebrate his birthday with success on the track after he was stood down with exhaustion.
Kerrin McEvoy reunited with Godolphin for a victory on four-year-old mare Philosophy, her second from three career starts.
McEvoy, who rode for Sheikh Mohammed for more than a decade until 2014, had his first ride for Godolphin in almost two years in last year’s Caulfield Cup.
On Wednesday he guided Philosophy ($9) to a one-length victory over well-supported favourite Top Of My List ($2.10) with Mariquita ($7) finishing third.
Assistant trainer Darren Beadman said Philiosophy had showed natural ability as a two-year-old before being struck down but injury.
“She’s had a lot of problems and (trainer) John (O’Shea) just gave her plenty of time,” Beadman said.
“She’s really furnished into a lovely mare.”
Mathew Cahill was given a four-meeting suspension for careless riding for his ride on third-placegetter Lake Lurgano in Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1000m).
