Racing: Anger as suspended Innes to miss Auckland Cup

Trainer Chris Wood is furious Leith Innes will miss the $600,000 Auckland Cup after being suspended at Te Rapa yesterday.

Innes was suspended for one riding day and fined $5000 when found guilty of careless riding in race one, which saw his mount Copper Shoes relegated from first to third.

He will take the ride on favourite Wahid in the $600,000 Mercedes Derby on Saturday because racing's rules these days allow a jockey to fulfil engagements in races that have been finalised.

The Derby field was drawn up at 11am yesterday.

The one-day suspension will be served on Auckland Cup day next Wednesday and the JCA $5000 fine is clearly in lieu of the remaining at least three days a careless riding charge with a not guilty plea might normally attract.

That will allow Innes to ride on the final day of the carnival on Saturday week, featuring the $150,000 Ford Diamond Stakes and the $150,000 Starcraft New Zealand Stakes.

Innes was the SkyCity Auckland Cup rider of the Chris and Colleen Wood-trained Command 'N Conquer, who galloped stylishly for him at the Breakfast With The Stars session at Ellerslie on Tuesday.

Chris Wood slams the JCA decision as disadvantaging punters.

"What about the people who have backed horses at fixed odds knowing the likes of Leith Innes are riding them.

"Racing is not keeping faith with them.

"My Australian owners have backed Command 'N Conquer for a lot of money - do they get a refund on their money?

"The one owner in the horse from here called me and says he'll never race another horse in New Zealand and I support him."

Wood and many others believe New Zealand should totally adopt the system favoured in Australia, where jockeys are almost always allowed to fulfil group one engagements over a carnival and begin a suspension when the carnival ends.

"Tell me who is advantaged by Leith Innes sitting on the sideline next Wednesday?" said Wood.

"I may well be in trouble for some of the comments I made at the races today - but that's how strongly I feel about this.

"Owners, trainers and punters are the ones being punished here."