Changes to riding suspension rules in Vic

Racing Victoria has made changes to its local rules, giving jockey’s greater flexibility to defer careless riding suspensions by up to nine days like other states.

RV announced the changes on Friday but the new nine-day rule will not apply to suspensions incurred on Victoria Derby Day or Melbourne Cup day.

The key features of the changes which come into effect for Victorian meetings from Monday are that a rider can now defer a suspension for up to nine days subject to approval from stewards.

Riders must, however, fulfil engagements the day after being suspended if they are booked for rides.

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If a jockey is suspended on Victoria Derby day or Melbourne Cup day, the period of deferment will only be three days.

Where a rider is suspended on Derby Day or Melbourne Cup day and they have an overseas riding commitment within a week of the suspension, stewards can use their discretion to allow the jockey to fulfil that commitment.

“These rules bring Victoria into line with the deferment provisions available in other states and take into account current practices where jockeys are being engaged for rides well before acceptances,” RV said.

Currently, a jockey who incurs a riding suspension in Victoria can only fulfil rides where acceptances are already out before beginning the ban.