VICKY CARTMEL TAKES A BREAK

24-10-2009

Newbury’s Frank Osgood ladies race today, won in fine style by Serena Brotherton to take her to a total of 5 wins this season and 2 clear of her nearest rivals, was not without incident.

Vicky Cartmel, a talented rider with 5 wins in her career including a Bathwick Tyres series win and having her last ride under Rules before taking a break from her riding career, was suspended for trying too hard and also for trying too little on MISTA ROSSA.  Having appeared to have ridden the perfect race waiting behind the two leaders, the picture changed in the final furlong when Mista Rossa was tiring and was caught in the last stride by WARNES’S WAY who had been under pressure from the home turn.  Vicky was subsequently banned by the Newbury Stewards for 28 days for dropping her hands in the closing stages as well as 4 days for use of the whip earlier in the race, totalling 32 days.  This seems an excessive penalty considering that this ban totals virtually the complete number of races in the Flat amateur ladies calendar for next season.  Vicky said “Its disappointing to have gone out like this.  Hopefully I will be back to race riding one day if an opportunity arises.”

Trainer Hughie Morrison defended Vicky’s ride, saying “Victoria is an amateur rider and she rides very well indeed.  The horse was very tired and so was the jockey.  You have to remember, these girls don’t get too many opportunities on the racecourse.”  

Stipendiary Steward Paul Barton said “I believe this may be racing history because I doubt if a jockey has been suspended for the whip and dropping hands in the same race before.”