Grafton jockey Ben Looker has been suspended for a month for his ride in a midweek country NSW meeting.
NSW Racing charged Looker over his handling of $3.50 favourite Malmoosa, who finished sixth in the Rousillon Handicap (1516m) at Lismore on September 19.
He pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to “take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that the rider’s horse is given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field”.
“From approximately the 200m to approximately the 50m, Ben Looker did fail to ride his mount with sufficient purpose & vigour in an endeavour to improve into running available between Cool Prince and Evopex where in the opinion of the Stewards it was reasonable and permissible for him to do so,” a statement read.
Taking into account his guilty plea, stewards reduced his initial six-week suspension to a month.
His ban begins on Wednesday and expires on November 23.
