Nicky Mackay laments over Wolverhampton ban
Famous Jockey, Nicky Mackay has expressed serious disappointment over Wolverhampton stewards’ decision to ban him for ten days.
Mackay guided, Stars In Your Eyes, to a nose victory in the Enjoy The Horizons Restaurant Experience Maiden Stakes on Monday afternoon, but was found to have struck the mare three times more than the allowed seven strikes in a flat race.
Despite discounting Mackay’s one strike on safety reasons, the stewards found him going beyond the limit by a couple of strikes.
The jockey was disappointed by the ban, and described, that since the horse veered more than one time, he had to exceed the limit in order avoid an accident.
Mackay explained: "I hit the horse ten times, but in the circumstances I thought I was in danger of going through the fence. Coming to the first bend I thought I was going to go down the seven furlong chute and then again coming up the home straight
she was violently hanging.”
He added: "I don't know how bad it actually has to be for them to let you off or override it. Do you have to go through the fence for them to overlook it? I hit the fence a few times and I feel that I was using my whip to correct the filly."
Stars In Your Eyes, was sent as the 1 to 2 favourite for Sunday’s event, and Mackay did not let John Gosden’s trainee perform below par. The four-year-old lost her direction at times during her run, but the rider kept the situation under control.
Mister Fizz, came up with a late challenge, and was in a good position to overtake the leader. However, Stars In Your Eyes, managed to assert her lead at the final stages, clinching the top slot by a nose.
It was a great victory for Mackay, who has won £355,382.72 so far in his career. However, the victory also brought misery in its wake, as the rider will have to stay out of the course for the next ten days.
On the other side, stipendiary steward, Simon Cowley declared Mackay’s ban according to the rules of the business. He explained that despite the fact it was tough ride, the stewards came to a conclusion that Mackay used his stick unnecessarily.
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