Rider banned for trying too hard - and too little

TALENTED amateur jockey Victoria Cartmel was suspended, bizarrely, for trying too hard and also for trying too little on Mista Rossa in the final race at Newbury on Saturday.

Having appeared to have ridden the perfect race as she waited behind the two leaders, it all went wrong in the final furlong and Mista Rossa was caught in the last stride by Warnes's Way, who had been under pressure from the home turn.

Cartmel, who has ridden five winners and works for Mista Rossa's trainer Hughie Morrison, was given a four-day ban for use of her whip and, minutes later, that was topped up with a 28-day ban for dropping her hands in the closing stages.

Ironically, Cartmel was taking her final ride for the time being, having decided to take a new direction in life.

She said: "It's disappointing to have gone out like this. Hopefully I'll be back to race-riding one day if an opportunity arises."

Morrison defended her ride. He said: "Victoria is an amateur rider and she rides very well indeed. The horse was very tired, and so was the jockey. You have to remember, these girls don't get too many opportunities on the racecourse."

Paul Barton, stipendiary steward, said: "I believe this may be racing history because I doubt if a jockey has been suspended for the whip and dropping hands in the same race."