Michael McNab
Trish Dunell
Michael McNab's misfortune has given his replacement an opportunity for a third win in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby.
The Cambridge-based jockey has been the regular rider of the Tony Pike-trained Raghu, but he will be forced to sit out Saturday's BMW-sponsored feature after losing his appeal against a suspension incurred at the recent Wairoa meeting.
McNab's appeal on Thursday was only successful in having the length of his ban reduced from 14 to 11 days with his suspension to begin from Saturday.
In his absence, Pike has moved swiftly and engaged the Melbourne-based Michael Walker to partner the in-form Raghu, winner of the Listed Karaka Mile and Group Two placed in the Avondale and Waikato Guineas.
Walker, who underwent a hip replacement last November, won the Derby in 2010 aboard Military Move for Shaune Ritchie and again two years ago on the Peter and Jacob McKay-trained Puccini.
The Cambridge-based jockey has been the regular rider of the Tony Pike-trained Raghu, but he will be forced to sit out Saturday's BMW-sponsored feature after losing his appeal against a suspension incurred at the recent Wairoa meeting.
McNab's appeal on Thursday was only successful in having the length of his ban reduced from 14 to 11 days with his suspension to begin from Saturday.
In his absence, Pike has moved swiftly and engaged the Melbourne-based Michael Walker to partner the in-form Raghu, winner of the Listed Karaka Mile and Group Two placed in the Avondale and Waikato Guineas.
Walker, who underwent a hip replacement last November, won the Derby in 2010 aboard Military Move for Shaune Ritchie and again two years ago on the Peter and Jacob McKay-trained Puccini.