Balding lodges Ebor appeal
Tuesday, 24 August 2004 16:45Toby Balding has lodged an appeal with the Jockey Club in London over the decision by the York Stewards' not to promote Gold Ring to first place in the Ebor Handicap.
The Ebor was won by the Luca Cumani-trained Mephisto, who veered left towards Balding's Gold Ring in the final furlong of the £200,000 handicap and delivered a slight bump before winning the race by a short head.
A lengthy stewards' inquiry followed but Mephisto was eventually confirmed the winner, with his jockey Darryll Holland suspended for one day for careless riding.
Balding made his decision after studying a tape of the race and consulting Gold Ring's owner Bridget Swire.
Balding said after the race that it was not really his style to try to
win a race on appeal, but he had to take account of the fact it was a valuable prize and that Holland had committed a riding offence. The hearing will be held on September 9.
Filed by James McMahon
