Luke Nolen has copped a heavy penalty for an ugly post-race clash with Lachlan Neindorf after a photo finish at Pakenham on Thursday night.
Nolen was suspended for 24 meetings by Stewards after he pleaded guilty to improper riding, which could cost him a number of important rides, including Ole Dancer and Sheza Alibi.
Nolen was beaten by .06 of a length onboard Irreverent in the Future Stars Series, by Neindorf who was riding The Benchmark.
But after making contact throughout the race, Nolen purposely directed Irreverent at Neindorf, making contact.
Earlier, Stewards interviewed both riders about how the contact occured. Nolen protested the result.
”Prior to correct weight, after viewing the patrol video, rider Luke Nolen (Irreverent, 2nd placegetter) lodged an objection against The Benchmark (Lachlan Neindorf) being declared the winner on the grounds of alleged interference over the final 300m,” the report said.
”During the hearing, Stewards also heard evidence in relation to an incident rounding the home turn and upon straightening, where The Benchmark was bumped, carried wider and taken out off its course. It was established that near the 300m, Irreverent shifted out and brushed The Benchmark.
”Shortly after, The Benchmark, which was laying in, shifted in towards Irreverent which shifted in and away further from that gelding. Over the final 100m, Irreverent raced tight to the inside of The Benchmark which continued to lay in.
”Whilst taking into account the incident rounding the home turn, where The Benchmark was taken out off its course and bumped, and the incidents involving Irreverent in the straight, Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that Irreverent would have finished in advance of The Benchmark, therefore the objection was dismissed and correct weight was declared.”
After Neindorf won, it was then when Nolen deliberately directed his mount to make contact with Neindorf, who then shifted out. The two then seemed to share words.
Stewards’ charged Nolen with improper riding, with the veteran pleading guilty.
”Rider Luke Nolen (Irreverent) pleaded guilty to a charge of improper riding under the provisions of AR 131(a), in that after passing the winning post, he turned his horse’s head out and directed it out towards The Benchmark, making heavy contact with that gelding,” the Stewards’ report said.
”Luke Nolen had his licence to ride in races suspended for 24 race meetings. Stewards acceded to a request from Luke Nolen to confirm the dates of the suspension tomorrow due to the lateness of the hour. In assessing penalty, account was taken of his guilty plea, the circumstances surrounding the incident, his good record, the significant nature of the contact and the seriousness of the charge.”
Stewards interviewed Neindorf too.
”Rounding the home turn was bumped and carried wider by Irreverent which shifted out to obtain clear running to the outside of Trentino. Laid in under pressure in the straight,”Stewards said.
”Stewards further questioned rider Lachlan Neindorf regarding his body and arm movement rounding the home turn. He explained that as he was receiving pressure from his inside by Irreverent, he was attempting to hold his racing line and as such, had to alter his position somewhat and place extra pressure on the nearside rein.”
