Veteran jockey Luke Nolen has been sidelined for 24 meetings following an explosive post-race incident at Pakenham on Thursday night.
The suspension came after Nolen pleaded guilty to improper riding in the wake of a dramatic photo finish.
Nolen was narrowly beaten aboard Irreverent in the Future Stars Series, going down by 0.06 of a length to The Benchmark, ridden by Lachlan Neindorf.
After protesting the result and before correct weight was declared, Nolen lodged an objection alleging interference over the final 300 metres.
”Prior to correct weight, after viewing the patrol video, rider Luke Nolen (Irreverent, 2nd placegetter) lodged an objection against The Benchmark (Lachlan Neindorf) being declared the winner on the grounds of alleged interference over the final 300m,” the report said.
Drama at Pakenham 👀 pic.twitter.com/UlRXjLAAGP
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Stewards dismissed the protest, ruling they could not be satisfied Irreverent would have won.
Moments after the finish, Nolen turned his mount towards Neindorf, making heavy contact.
”Rider Luke Nolen (Irreverent) pleaded guilty to a charge of improper riding under the provisions of AR 131(a), in that after passing the winning post, he turned his horse’s head out and directed it out towards The Benchmark, making heavy contact with that gelding,” the Stewards’ report said.
In assessing penalty, Stewards cited his guilty plea, prior record and the seriousness of the incident.
