Mackay fumes after picking up 10-day ban
NICKY MACKAY vented his frustration at the Wolverhampton stewards yesterday after picking up a 10-day whip ban following his victory aboard the particularly wayward Stars In Your Eyes.
There remains a simmering dissatisfaction in the weighing room over the lengthy suspensions applied for excessive use of the stick and Mackay believed he had no alternative way of controlling his mount or preventing an accident.
John Gosden's filly, a daughter of the illustrious Galileo, was sent off the 1/2 favourite for the Maiden Stakes after three solid runs on the all-weather.
But there was immediate concern for her pilot when she nearly ran off the track on the bend entering the back straight.
It got no easier for Mackay when Stars In Your Eyes ran wide again on the home turn, crossing right the way over to the stands rail and Mister Fizz managed to close to within a nose just by keeping straight.
It was Mackay's second such offence within 12 months -- hence the severity of the punishment -- and he must sit out February 27-29 as well March 1-3 and March 5-8.
"I feel there was nothing more I could do," he said. "Obviously, I have hit the horse 10 times, but I thought I was in danger of going through the fence or something more serious happening.
"I don't know how serious it has to get for them to let you off. Do you have to go through the fence? I said (to the stewards) I was using my whip to correct my filly.
"Obviously you want to win, but when you get in a situation like that, safety comes first. They haven't looked at that I don't think.
"I was just getting myself going again and I've got 10 days and lost my prize money. I knew that I'd gone over my limit, but I thought they'd overlook it. I'm very disappointed.
"They all sit there writing but half of them haven't sat on a horse."
- Tom Peacock
Irish Independent
