Coakley stung by 23-day whip ban after earning first Group win on Dubawi Legend

Dubawi Legend could return to Group 1 company next weekend after giving jockey Ross Coakley the first Group-race victory of his career at Baden-Baden on Sunday, a victory soured by a 23-day whip ban.

Last year's Dewhurst Stakes runner-up may tackle the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday following his success in the Group 3 Casino Baden-Baden Goldene Peitsche.

A source close to Coakley said the rider had been handed the long suspension for excessively slapping his mount down the neck, though the source claimed: "They weren't slaps but were when his stick made contact with the horse's neck as part of his hand movement.

"He was aware of the rules and deliberately did not slap the horse down the neck". The jockey also lost 50 per cent of his share of the prize-money.

On the three-year-old's success, trainer Hugo Palmer, speaking before news of the ban broke, said: "He made all and won well. I'm delighted he's now won another race – despite being second in the Dewhurst, he'd only ever won a maiden before.

Dubawi Legend: won for the first time as a three-year-old in a Group 3 in GermanyCredit: Caroline Norris

"It was Ross's first Group winner. I'm delighted for him, he's intelligent, he thinks about it, he works really hard and he's having a fantastic year. He thoroughly deserves it."

On the prospect of a possible trip to Haydock on Saturday, Palmer said: "The owner's first reaction was 'please leave him in the Sprint Cup', and we'll see how he is. We'll see how much weight he loses and give him a canter on Thursday morning – it would be no more than 50-50 at this stage.

"Winning with cut in the ground today opens up options for him as we've always avoided it. I hope he stays in training as I think he'll be a lovely sprinter next year."

Betfair Sprint Cup (3.30 Haydock, Saturday)

Betfair: 9-2 Minzaal, 11-2 Naval Crown, 6 Highfield Princess, Emaraaty Ana, 8 Art Power, Rohaan, 9 Brad The Brief, 10 Kinross, Tenebrism, 12 bar

More big-race news:

'Strong chance' Baaeed runs in Arc - but only if ground is suitable says Haggas

Belief still high in 'proper horse' Royal Scotsman after dirty scope at York

'I think it's her race' - Haggas looks to French return for Sea La Rosa

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.