Damian Lane to miss Caulfield Guineas day after 10-meeting ban

Damian Lane will miss the triple Group 1 Caulfield Guineas meeting on October 10 after receiving a 10-meeting careless-riding suspension for his ride on Charm Stone in Sunday’s Manikato Stakes at Caulfield.

Lane has deferred the suspension until after Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, where he is booked to ride Aeliana. The ban starts on Sunday, October 4 and expires on Monday, October 12. He can ride again on Tuesday, October 13.

Lane pleaded guilty under AR 131(a) after Charm Stone shifted in near the 400 metres of the Group 1 race. Stewards said he was insufficiently clear of Oliveanotherday, which was steadied when awkwardly placed on Charm Stone’s heels.

The stewards’ report set out the factors behind the penalty: “In assessing penalty, account was taken of his guilty plea, good record, the Feature Race Penalty Guidelines and that the incident was in the low range.”

Charm Stone finished third behind Jimmysstar and Extragalactic in the 1200-metre Manikato.

Lane told Racing.com after the race: “She’s gone super. Just had to use her a bit from the wide draw and it just told late. She kicked really strongly and was just out on her feet late. She’s gone huge.”

Charm Stone won last year’s Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley with Blake Shinn aboard.