Racing Victoria stewards considered imposing an improper riding charge against Daniel Stackhouse on Wednesday, but downgraded it to careless riding before banning him for 12 meetings.

 

Stackhouse's suspension will begin after Saturday’s meeting at Echuca.

 

The stewards, chaired by Heidi Lester, said Stackhouse, riding Eskimo King, placed “undue pressure” on Craig Williams’s mount Thermogenic from the 1200 metres to the 900 metres.

 

Lester said during this period of the race Stackhouse made contact three times and took Thermogenic off its rightful running.

 

"We did consider laying a charge of improper riding," Lester said.

 

“We want competitive riding, but you tested the water too long."

 

Stackhouse initially pleaded not guilty, saying there was nothing in the incident and claiming Williams rode into him.

 

But, after considering his position, Stackhouse changed his plea to guilty and said he would learn from his error.

 

Stackhouse said he felt “under a lot of pressure” as it was his first ride for Peter Moody in a long time.

 

He asked the stewards to issue a reprimand, but the stewards deemed the interference fell into the middle range. (Racing Network)