Tasmanian apprentice’s Kyle Maskiell first mainland city double has been soured with a $750 fine.
Maskiell won the final two races at Sandown on Wednesday for leading trainer Darren Weir, but had to survive a protest in his second victory.
Jye McNeil, rider of second-placed Deja Blue in the Le Pine Funerals Handicap, alleged a breach of the whip rules in protesting against Maskiell on Lyuba.
The protest followed a successful objection at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday.
It was established Maskiell had used the whip twice more than allowed before the 100m.
Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey told McNeil that where his mount was in front of Lyuba and that it had come from behind in the last 100m, the protest was dismissed.
Maskiell is looking to have his apprenticeship transferred on loan to Weir’s assistant-trainer Jarrod McLean at Warrnambool, but his poor whip record in Tasmania is holding him back.
He was recently fined $500 and suspended for a meeting over a whip breach at Hobart and had incurred another $400 penalty at a Launceston meeting last month.
“Your record comes back to bite you,” Bailey told Maskiell in handing out the $750 fine.
“If you’re coming back here with your record you will be looking at a suspension for further breaches.”
Maskiell, 16, has ridden 48 winners in Tasmania and said he was always trying to get the best from his mounts to win as many races as possible.
Maskiell’s earlier winner Must Be Mink in the Mitavite Challenge, was a lot easier for the apprentice, scoring a 2-1/2 length win.
Earlier Mornington-based trainer Logan McGill secured his first city winner when Gold Fields won the Premier Signs Handicap.
McGill was an apprentice to Mark Riley and combines his duties as an assistant with that trainer with preparing six horses in his own name.
