Baster suspended after G2 win at Valley
Stephen Baster has won the two feature races at the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes meeting at Moonee Valley but it came at a cost, with stewards suspending him for careless riding.
Baster won Saturday’s Group Two McEwen Stakes on Wild Rain and added the Group Two Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes on Awesome Rock.
But Baster was later banned for 13 meetings for shifting out approaching the 200m mark aboard Awesome Rock, which caused interference to runners to his outside.
Baster pleaded guilty to the charge and stewards deemed the incident in the high range but took into account his plea, good riding record and candid evidence.
He will miss next Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes meeting but can return the following Saturday.
Stewards have adjourned an inquiry after charging Craig Williams with careless riding aboard Sebring Sun in the SAJ Fruit Supply Stakes (1200m).
Williams pleaded guilty to “hampering” Stephen Baster’s mount Rich Jack but argued there was a contributing factor from Chris Symons on the outside of Baster’s mount near the 200m mark.
Stewards adjourned the matter so Symons, who had left the course, could give evidence.
Michael Walker is set to miss next Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes meeting and the ride on Sofia Rosa after being suspended for eight meetings.
The ban was for careless riding aboard Sebring Dream on the home corner in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes.
Apprentice Jye McNeil also incurred a six-meeting suspension stemming from the same race.