The country's leading rider and Wanganui's national Sportsperson of the Year, Lisa Allpress, has been forced to sit out one of the biggest racedays on the River City's calendar this Saturday.
Allpress, who is also leading the jockeys' premiership this season with more than 50 wins on the board already,was suspended for six days after admitting a careless riding charge at the Taranaki meeting last Thursday.
Allpress won the first race on the card aboard the Fraser Auret-trained Itsanobraina, but was subsequently relegated to third after causing interference 200m from the finish line.
Taranaki trainer Allan Sharrock lodged a protest alleging Allpress had allowed Itsanobraina to shift outwards when not clear and causing interference to his fifth-placed runner Here's de Consul.
Stewards agreed and charged Allpress with careless riding, a charge she admitted, before receiving a six day suspension.
Allpress was allowed to continue riding until Friday at the Levin meeting at Otaki because she had already been booked for rides, including in the Gr1 Levin Classic. Her six-day suspension begins on Saturday forcing her out of contention for Wanganui Cup day.
The Wanganui meeting is also one of the venues for the popular Christmas @ the Races fixtures.
