A Melbourne Cup jockey has been slapped with a 16-meeting suspension and a $5000 fine after a controversial ride that saw his horse establish an extraordinary 20-length lead during Tuesday’s race at Flemington.
Ben Allen, 27, was hauled before racing stewards following his dramatic ride aboard Royal Supremacy, which stunned spectators by racing far ahead of the field before eventually fading to finish fifth.
While his unusual tactics raised eyebrows and prompted questions about whether he had deliberately acted as a pacemaker for other horses, it was a separate breach of racing’s whip rules that ultimately landed him in trouble.
Stewards found Allen had struck Royal Supremacy 10 times before the final 100 metres, twice the permitted limit of five.
He pleaded guilty to the breach and was handed a $5000 fine and a suspension covering 16 race meetings, beginning on Friday, November 6. He will be eligible to return to racing on November 20.
However, it was his extraordinary front-running performance that became one of the biggest talking points of the 166th Melbourne Cup.
Royal Supremacy, a rank outsider, surged clear of the field during the 3200-metre race, at one stage opening up a lead of approximately 20 lengths.
The unusual spectacle sparked speculation that Allen was acting as a pacemaker to benefit other runners trained by Ciaron Maher, whose horses ultimately claimed the first three places in the race.
Pacemakers, which are used to set a strong pace for other runners, are prohibited under Australian racing rules.
However, stewards found no evidence of improper tactics after questioning Allen about his ride.
Allen explained that his original plan had been to settle behind expected leader Kizlyar, but when that horse failed to show the anticipated speed, he allowed Royal Supremacy to move forward.
He told stewards he was surprised by just how far ahead he had travelled, believing his horse was setting a relatively moderate pace.
“(Leading like that) obviously wasn’t the plan,” Allen said after the race.
“I was surprised when I looked back how far off they were as I didn’t think we’d gone that sort of gallop, but he was very tough. The way he ran it he ran a strong two-mile. Very game in defeat.”
Trainer Ciaron Maher was equally surprised by the enormous lead, although he welcomed the demanding pace.
“I certainly didn’t know that Royal Supremacy would lead by that far, but there’s nothing better than a true staying test,” Maher said.
Despite the controversy, it was a historic day for Maher, whose runners Point Of Law, Zahrann and Juja Kibo filled the first three places, the first time a trainer has achieved a Melbourne Cup trifecta in the race’s 166-year history.
Point Of Law, ridden by Ethan Brown, stormed home to claim victory, adding another remarkable chapter to Brown’s career after he suffered life-threatening injuries in a horrific fall at Flemington three years ago.
Royal Supremacy, meanwhile, held on bravely for fifth despite his enormous early effort.
For Allen, the result was bittersweet. Although stewards cleared him of any wrongdoing over his controversial racing tactics, his excessive use of the whip means he will now spend more than two weeks on the sidelines.
He remains eligible to ride at Thursday’s Oaks Day meeting before his suspension begins.
