 New South Wales based jockey Justin
Sheehan has been rocked after being outed for six weeks by stewards today.Sheehan was called to front stewards this afternoon after officials
took exception over his handling of Expect a Star, a galloper which finished seventh to
Time Off in the Little Bay Handicap (2400m) at Randwick on New Year's Day.
Stewards charged Sheehan with improper riding under AR 137(a)
in that he raised his elbow in the middle stages of the race making contact with fellow
rider Chris Munce.
Sheehan requested stewards view past videos of his riding
style which would show his elbow being raised in other events.
"I have a bad habit of raising my elbow when I pull the
stick," Sheehan argued at the inquiry.
But the NSW TRB's Chief Steward Ray Murrihy was not at all
happy with Sheehan's argument and came out heavily criticising the senior hoop.
"I haven't seen contact like that in a race in all the
time I've been in Sydney," Murrihy, who's been based in NSW for six years, said.
"This type of riding is totally unacceptable and the
penalty must reflect this."
"We cannt have a situation where there is contact
between riders or racing simply wouldn't be safe," Murrihy added.
Sheehan's ban would have seen him out until Sunday February
24, however the rider wasted no time in lodging an appeal.
No matter the timing of the appeal Sheehan will be free to
partner the highly rated Magic Albert in Saturday's $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Classic
on the Gold Coast.
PIC - Quentin
Lang |
