Johnson’s suspension revisited
Top South Island jockey Chris Johnson’s ride in a maiden race at Ashburton on December 16 has finally reached a conclusion with reinstatement of an improper riding charge.
The improper riding verdict saw Johnson handed another four day suspension, ruling him out until Wingatui on February 4.
Johnson was originally charged by stewards on the day with improper riding in the first race at Ashburton after it was alleged he directed his mount Pippi Rea inwards, making heavy contact with Radiant, ridden by apprentice jockey Rafi Firdhaus.
Radiant recovered and won the race, while Pippi Rea ran fifth.
Johnson defended the charge and at an adjourned hearing at Wingatui on Boxing Day the improper charge was downgraded by the JCA panel to one of careless riding.
Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge and was suspended for six riding days.
However, chief thoroughbred racing steward John Oatham appealed the decision to downgrade the improper riding charge at a hearing late last week where the appeal was upheld.
Meantime Johnathan Parkes was suspended at Trentham on Saturday.
Parkes was charged with careless riding aboard Telegraph runner-up Start Wondering for permitting his mount to shift inwards over the concluding stages and causing interference to the fourth-placed Reilly Lincoln.
He was suspended for five days from the conclusion of next Saturday’s Thorndon Mile meeting at Trentham, ruling him out of Karaka Million night at Ellerslie the following day.
Michael Coleman has picked up the mount on unbeaten filly Volpe Veloce in the $250,000 Karaka 3YO Mile after he suspension of her regular rider.
Parkes has been aboard for the last five wins in Volpe Veloce’s unbeaten six-race career, including three black-type wins while Craig Grylls was aboard for her debut win.
At Gore on Saturday Emily Farr and Jacob Lowry incurred suspensions for careless riding.
Farr received a five day suspension from January 27 to February 2, while Lowry copped two days from January 27 to February 3.
Farr was also on the wrong side of stewards at Tauranga on Friday when hit with a $400 fine for excessive whip use.