‘This is stupid’ – Jockey slammed by TV pundit over massively controversial ride that led to ban

A JOCKEY slapped with “one of the heaviest fines ever” has now been suspended for a hugely controversial ride.

Nash Rawiller was dubbed a “genius” for his surprise 40-1 win at Think It Over in Australia earlier this month.

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But, be Heroics in the saddle were fined £22,860 – later reduced to £17,000 – after breaking the whip rules.

Now he has been slammed for “stupidity” in his latest stand-off with the law after taking a daredevil on the inside line in a race.

Australian champion jockey Rawiller, 47, hit the running rail and hindquarters of tiring leader Big Parade last Saturday in Randwick, Australia as he charged through a gap that didn’t appear to be there on Kementari.

But he came through with the 11-2 shot to end up in Group 3, £45,161 for first place, for trainer James Cummings.

Bettors supporting the legendary jockey loved it though TV pundit and former jockey Katelyn Mallyon was someone who thought differently.

She slammed the ride, saying: “That’s not courage. That’s stupid.

“There was no run there and he shouldn’t have tried I don’t think so.

“Because first of all he puts Kementari and himself in danger, and that goes for Josh Parr at Big Parade too.

“There is absolutely no run. It’ll be interesting to see what the stewards do, but as a rule book, you can’t go where there isn’t a run.”

Rawiller, who has won just under £80million in his career, told the stewards his move was “not pretty” and that the space he spotted for a move was closed as soon as he got there.

He said: “Big Parade started to go a little off track

“There was no way for me as a jockey to get out of it.

“There was a run that started to close when I got there. The end result wasn’t pretty.”

For his part, Parr said he was surprised to see another runner inside him.

He said: “It’s not a lot of space, but I understand what Nash is assessing.

“But I’ll stick to the fact that I was surprised there was a horse inside me.”

Rawiller pleaded not guilty but was handed a seven-season ban for negligent driving.

This comes into effect when his flogging ban ends, and the second suspension ends on May 13.

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