In-form Sydney hoop Tommy Berry was suspended in Hong Kong on Sunday after causing interference in the Group I Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin.
Berry was aboard the John Moore-trained Dominant in the $10HK million feature and was found guilty of improper riding. Dominant finished runner-up in the race, nosed out by Douglas Whyte aboard the Tony Cruz-trained Helene Super Star.
Stewards determined that between the 1700-metres and the 1600-metres Berry directed his mount in onto Nash Rawiller’s mount Mr Gnocchi. Mr Gnocchi was unnecessarily hampered and became unbalanced on a number of occasions when being bumped by Dominant.
Berry copped a six-meeting ban which means he cannot ride between June 21 and July 8. He may resume riding on July 9.
The timing of the suspension allows Berry to retain the ride on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Najoom in the Group I Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at the Gold Coast on June 20.
Berry rode Najoom to a stunning last start win in the Group III Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben and the three-year-old Northern Meteor filly is currently $3.50 favourite for the $500,000 event.
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Paul Joice