Holmes out for four months

Expatriate New Zealand jockey Patrick Holmes will spend a lengthy period on the side-lines after returning a sample containing an undisclosed banned substance.

“After taking into account Patrick Holmes’ personal circumstances and guilty plea, stewards suspended his permit to ride in races for a period of four months and until such time as he delivers a sample free of any banned substances from which time he may resume riding trackwork and trials,” stewards said.

Holmes’ ban started when he was stood down on June 27 and expires at midnight on October 27. He has ridden 19 winners in season 2016-17 and most recently rode a double at Corowa on June 13.