Racing: Cropp loses mackinnon ride

Top New Zealand jockey Lisa Cropp has been replaced as the rider of top mare Legs for Saturday's A$500,000 ($588,0000) Mackinnon Stakes in Melbourne.

Owner Gary Chittick, who operates Waikato Stud in Matamata, said the Flemington mount had gone to Melbourne jockey Steven Arnold but there was no dissatisfaction with Cropp.

"We just decided to run with an Australian jockey," he said.

Cropp rode Legs to win New Zealand's richest race, the Kelt Capital Stakes, on October 7 at her last start.

"We have got no problems with Lisa at all. We think she did a fantastic job," Chittick added.

"We just think with Flemington, that [local] experience is probably worthwhile.

"Flemington can be a funny place. You have to know when to go and when not to."

Chittick said he had advised Cropp's manager, Lenny Goord.

"Lenny understood. Lisa will continue to ride [Legs] in New Zealand for as long as she wants to."

- NZPA