On 16 November 2023, Stewards enquired into an incident that took place prior to the Birdsville Cup, being the sixth race at Birdsville on the 2 September 2023, whereby apprentice Landan Sykes was engaged to ride WAITAKERE. Apprentice Landan Sykes pleaded guilty, in that he did attempt to deceive and manipulate his riding weight, when failing to include his saddle and girth during the weigh-out process, both essential components according to racing regulations.
Shouldn’t the Clerk of the Scales Have Been Suspended Too?
