For “borrowing” the whip of another jockey during a close finish at Ipswich last Friday, leading Queensland jockey Shane Scriven has received a five-month suspension.
At 42 years old, Scriven is one of Queensland’s most senior and respected jockeys. He took apprentice Ben Looker’s whip after the latter had it knocked from his hand in the final 100m of the race.
Using Looker’s whip, Scriven’s horse crossed the line in second place, while Looker’s mount, Toronto Dancer, finished a mere head behind in third.
Approximately 50 meters past the post, Scriven returned the whip to Looker. Neither Looker nor the stewards lodged a protest.
It is believed that Looker was so taken aback by the incident that he did not consider protesting.
Scriven later commented that it was a “spur of the moment” choice, one he regretted.
by Buford Balony
