Chad Schofield – adds to his poor record
Leading jockey Chad Schofield has been suspended for 32 meetings after being found guilty of improper riding after Wednesday’s Mornington race meeting.
Schofield returned from three weeks’ suspension only two weeks ago but the improper riding will have the youngster suspended until Caulfield Cup day.
Stewards said that “there was a level of intent” as he crowded and shoved fellow jockey Michelle Payne into the inside rail during the running of the seventh event on Wednesday.
Stewards believe that the level of intent lifted the charge from careless to improper riding and the suspension will put a gaping hole in the jockey’s spring carnival.
Schofield, the son of former South African and leading jockey Glyn, has already accrued 25 suspensions for careless riding and one improper riding charge.
He was unavailable for comment after stewards sat for an hour-and-a-half examining his ride on Saguro, trained by Peter Moody at Caulfield. Saguro was heavily backed from $4.60 into $3.70 but could finish only third.
It is unclear whether the 20-year-old will appeal.
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