A Perth media presenter has been fined following a heated exchange with champion jockey William Pike at Belmont on Saturday.
Michael Heaton, from Tabtouch, received a $2000 fine and was charged under AR228(b), which states that ‘Conduct detrimental to the interests of racing’ includes misconduct, improper conduct, or unseemly behavior.
In addition to his role with Tabtouch, Heaton works for Racing and Wagering Western Australia and also manages jockeys.
Reports indicate that Heaton was conducting interviews with jockeys after the running of the Listed Farnley Stakes on Saturday when the incident took place. Pike, who had ridden the second-place finisher and odds-on favourite Triple Jay, declined to comment after the race, which reportedly led to the altercation.
Heaton pleaded guilty to the charge related to the exchange with Pike.