Dwayne Dunn cops 18-meeting suspension

Dwayne Dunn will miss the rest of the season after being suspended for 18 meetings over an incident at Caulfield that caused interference for several other runners.

Dunn pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding on Saturday over his handling of winner Windbern while passing the 200m mark in the Laming Racing Handicap (2000m).

Steward Robert Cram told Dunn the stewards panel discussed the more serious charge of reckless riding before deciding the incident was in the high range of careless riding.

They made the decision after taking into account his horse’s racing manners and Dunn’s attempts to straighten once the filly moved out sharply.

Stewards said when Dunn passed the 200m, he placed his mount to the outside of Snipfit in front of him.

As a result, he made contact with Anthony Darmanin’s mount, Meat Traders, resulting in him being taken out and causing interference to another four horses on his outside.

Stewards took into account that after Dunn angled out, Windbern became unbalanced and ducked out on him much further than he had intended.

“The outcome has been dramatic,” Dunn said.

“It does not look pretty, I totally agree, but that’s not a normal reaction from a horse.

“There was no intention to get that outcome that we got. It’s a rare occasion a horse has reacted like that.

“Obviously the ramifications land at my feet because I started it.

“It wasn’t an abrupt or forceful movement that I was initiating.”

Dunn’s ban rules him out until early August, with this season running until the end of July.

He was one of three jockeys suspended at the meeting.

Luke Nolen, who won the feature Sir John Monash Stakes on Supido, was outed for eight meetings for careless riding aboard Dane Thunder in the opening race.

Apprentice Chris Caserta also copped an eight-meeting ban for careless riding on Rockmeartie in the third event.