Lane suspended, fined $20,000 in Cup win

Damian Lane has been suspended and heavily fined for his Caulfield Cup-winning ride on Mer De Grace.

Damian Lane has been suspended and fined $20,000 following his win on Mer De Glace in the Caulfield Cup.

Lane was one of three jockeys banned following Saturday’s $5 million Caulfield Cup.

However, Lane will be free to ride $3.60 favourite Lys Gracieux in the Cox Plate at The Valley next Saturday before commencing his suspension.

He will return for Mer De Glace should connections decide to press on for the $8 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 5, but will miss the Derby Day meeting on November 2.

Lane was suspended for careless riding when shifting ground aboard Mer De Glace near the 200m which resulted in Red Verdon being hampered and Sound to be checked.

RV chief steward Robert Cram said Lane’s guilty plea and overall record, being suspended just twice in the past 12 months, was taken into consideration.

In suspending Lane, Cram said he took into account the purse on offer and the significance of the race.

Lane also incurred a 10-meeting careless riding suspension aboard Aristia in the Tristarc Stakes with that ban to be served concurrently with his Caulfield Cup suspension.

Beau Mertens was suspended for 10 meetings after causing interference on Wolfe near the 150m.

Michael Dee, who rode a double earlier on Saturday’s program, was suspended for careless riding on Brimham Rocks near the 1800m and had seven meetings added to a ban from Pakenham on Friday night.

He can resume riding on Melbourne Cup day.