Darren Beadman paid a heavy penalty for interference at the first turn in the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup, landing an improper riding charge that ultimately carried a six meeting penalty.

Beadman cast a dejected silhouette as he was the last jockey to leave the course last night, having pleaded not guilty to the charge and defending himself vigorously, only to have stipendiary stewards find against him.

Beadman’s penalty is the second most serious to have been levelled against him in a stellar career and it’s now 15 years since the previous major one here.

“I supposed I’ve had around 20,000 rides in 26 years,” Beadman said. “And this doesn’t sit comfortably with me because I’m not an improper ride. I don’t believe I’m guilty but I think I’m going to have to take it on the chin and I won’t appeal - that would only complicate things.”

Beadman was found guilty of a charge of improper riding under Rule 100(1) and, according to their report, “making the turn near the 1,700 metres he [Beadman] transferred his body weight to the right, turned his mount’s head inwards, thereby directing it in onto Balius, which as a result was unnecessarily hampered.”

Beadman said he argued the shifting of body weight was his way of correcting Viva Pataca, who had raced in the opposite direction last start in Dubai and “got lost and started climbing in his action” while making the first turn.

“That’s all the shifting of my weight was about, just trying to help him get on the correct leg and properly balanced without reefing him around,” he said. “If they had charged me with careless riding, I’d cop it sweet but I’m really not happy with the gravity of this charge. In my view, it’s just not right.”

Beadman’s desire to fight the charge is tempered by his contractual obligations to the John Moore stable, particularly with Viva Pataca for the Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) at Sha Tin on May 25. “If I deferred the suspension to be able to take my rides at Randwick next weekend, then I would miss the Champions & Chater and that wouldn’t be doing the right thing by my retaining stable,” he said.

“If I appealed, got a stay of proceedings and was unsuccessful at appeal, there is a good chance I’d also miss the Champions & Chater. So unfortunately, it looks like the only way out is to forego my bookings for Randwick next Saturday.”

Beadman’s key engagement in Sydney was for the outstanding mare Tuesday Joy, which he has ridden only three times for three Group One wins. He was also booked for the David Hayes-trained All American in the Group One AJC Champagne Stakes.

Beadman still rode a double, beginning with Goal Keeper ($64.50) in the opener before scoring a short-head victory in the ninth event on One World ($29), and then had to withstand a protest from Alex Lai Hoi-wing on runner-up Diamond Brilliance.
(Source: SCMP)