Jockey banned for hitting horse on head

Central Queensland jockey Chris McIver has been disqualified for seven months after admitting he hit his horse on the head in a Mackay race on Tuesday.

McIver rode Absolute Bonza in the last race and was seen to strike the horse’s head as the field was pulling up.

Stewards opened an inquiry and charged McIver with improper conduct.

McIver pleaded guilty after stewards detailed how McIver when pulling up, struck Absolute Bonza forcibly with his whip on the head.

Stewards took into account previous penalties for such breaches and McIver also had a breach under the rule in August.

McIver was disqualified for six months and had a one-month portion activated from a previous offence that had been suspended.

A former successful Brisbane apprentice, McIver has been riding in central Queensland for most of the past decade.