Miller Falls Foul Of Stewards Again

Tuesday, 26 October 2010 01:23

Apprentice Duncan Miller will be on the sidelines for a lengthy period due to suspension once again after RWWA stewards found him guilty at an adjourned hearing yesterday.

Miller, 21, was outed for a month for his ride aboard Can Time in a $12,000 0 - 68 Handicap (2000m) at Pinjarra on October 17.

Can Time missed the start hopelessly and Miller displayed little urgency in the first 200 metres of the race to catch up to the field.

Miller pleaded not guilty to claims that he had ridden uncompetitvely as he claimed that the Sharon Taylor-trained galloper was denied a fair start as an official was holding her as the gates were opened.

Stewards acknowledged that although “his mount had commenced awkwardly and lost ground,” that Miller “unnecessarily eased his mount…when in the opinion of the Stewards it was reasonable and permissible to do so to ensure that his mount was given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field.”

Miller will be free to ride after November 21 meaning he won’t be able to ride in the Group 1 Carlton Draught Railway Stakes (1600m).

Last October Miller was suspended for a year – which was later reduced to nine months on appeal – for using a padded whip which had lead objects inserted into it.

Picture: Greg Irvine