KEVIN DARLEY received a six day ban from the local stewards at Musselburgh yesterday after being found guilty of irresponsible riding on Manolo, runner up to Johayro in the Forth FM Tolbooth Limited Stakes.
The officials decided that Darley's mount had hampered fourth placed Shadow Jury inside the final furlong of the five furlong dash, and that rival in turn caused interference to the eventual third passed the post, 11 to 10 favourite Able Sheriff.
Darley was stood down from April 23rd to 26th inclusive 28th and 29th, and Manolo was relegated to fourth place, with Able Sheriff and Shadow Jury awarded second and third prizes respectively.
Johayro was not involved in the trouble, having led from start to finish and holding on bravely by half a length from Manolo who past the post a neck ahead of Able Sheriff.
The successful four year old is trained near Glasgow by Jim Goldie, who likes nothing more than saddling a winner on his native soil. It was Goldie's second strike on the Flat this year, and he explained how he came to train Johayro, who is owned by Jersey based electrical contractor Frank Brady.
Said Goldie: "His owner, who originally comes from Paisley, not far from my yard, sent this horse up from Bill Turner's yard in Dorset last summer. Johayro finished second for Turner first time out as a two year old in the Brocklesby Stakes, but proved rather disappointing last year. He was probably too highly rated as a three year old and perhaps he has appreciated the change of scenery."
Darley bounced back from his punishment to ride the winner of the next race, the Inveresk Rating Related Maiden Stakes on Krosno.
The North Yorkshire based rider took it up on Stuart Williams' runner entering the home straight, and Krosno the 11 to 8 favourite, pulled clear for an emphatic three and a half lengths victory over Murray Grey.
Williams' representative Tommy Townsend reported: "We gelded this horse during the winter and he's improving all the time. He galloped on well today and Kevin said he'll get a mile and a quarter."
Hot favourite Heavenly Abstone, runner up on her two previous starts, finally lived up to expectations when romping to victory in the Belfry Maiden Auction Stakes for David Evans' Welshpool yard.
