Mackay to contest 10-day ban

Nicky Mackay plans to appeal against the 10-day whip suspension he was given at Wolverhampton yesterday.

The jockey was partnering 1-2 favourite Stars In Your Eyes for trainer John Gosden in the Enjoy The Horizons Restaurant Experience Maiden Stakes, but there was immediate concern when the filly nearly ran off the track on the bend entering the back straight.

It got no easier for Mackay when Stars In Your Eyes ran wide again on the home turn, crossing right the way over to the stands rail, and Mister Fizz managed to close to within a nose just by keeping straight.

Although the Wolverhampton stewards waived one of Mackay’s strikes of the whip on safety reasons, he was still two hits over the permitted seven.

It was Mackay’s second such offence within 12 months, hence the severity of the punishment, and he is set to sit out February 27-29 as well March 1-3 and 5-8.

“I’ve gone through the videos with John Gosden and we think we have a good case for appealing,” said Mackay.

“The thing I can’t understand is why they let me off one smack, but not some of the others. I can’t work out what the difference is.

“Mr Gosden has been really good about it. I’m the one with the suspension but he has stuck by me, which is great.”