Ramon Dominguez Suspended for Gio Ponti Ride

While America’s best effort in the 2011 Dubai World Cup came from the talented Gio Ponti (Tale Of The Cat), the piloting job given to him by jockey Ramon Dominguez has earned the NY-based rider a two day ban at Meydan Racecourse.

Meydan stewards have subsequently reviewed a chain reaction that Dominguez caused on the first turn of the Dubai World Cup. Effectively taking Fly Down out of the race, Gio Ponti shifted inwards and caused Irish runner Prince Bishop (Dubawi) to impede Fly Down (Mineshaft) – who was forced to check.

Gio Ponti went on to press the leading pack towards the end of the race and ultimately ran fifth while Fly Down was a disappointing thirteenth place.

The official charge from the Meydan stewards is one of careless riding. The chain reaction was similar to the one that prompted a winner’s circle punch-up following the Breeders’ Cup Marathon in 2010. No post-race fisticuffs were reported in Dubai.

The race was certainly not one without controversy as stewards are also soon to rule on a crowding incident involving a number of the other contenders at the half-mile pole. Fly Down was again involved in that incident and it proved another chapter in the nightmare trip he got on Dubai World Cup night. The result of that inquiry is pending Frankie Dettori’s report, as he was also involved in the incident and is currently racing in England.

Dominguez will sit out on April 6-7.