THERE’S getting the elbows out, and there’s Marco Ghiani on Tallulah Myla.
There was a collective gasp in the Racing TV studio as Harry Davies was nearly pushed through the rail by Ghiani in the 3YO Dash Handicap at Epsom.
Russet Gold lost all chance as Davies was forced to take a sharp pull of the reins to avoid what could have been a very nasty incident.
Thankfully, Davies was able to able to keep the partnership intact despite the interference.
Davies did get revenge – if only for minor stakes as he pipped Ghiani for 11th.
The stewards unsurprisingly took a dim view, slamming down a six-day ban for careless riding.
The report read: “Ghiani was suspended for six days for careless riding as he had shifted right-handed towards the rail when insufficiently clear resulting in Davies having to take a severe check and RUSSET GOLD becoming unbalanced.”
The race was eventually won by 8-1 shot Tatterstall for trainer Michael Dods and jockey Connor Beasley.
The ban could be seen as lenient, as one punter said: “Decent ban incoming for Marco Ghiani for that one.”
Another said: “Marco Ghiani in serious hot water – 14 days minimum.”
It was a puzzling move by Ghiani, who was a Group 3 winner on Real World in 2021 and posted a career-best tally of 101 winners in the same year.
Crowned champion apprentice in 2021 too, things have been tougher for him since.
Ghiani was banned for six months in November after testing positive for cocaine at Newcastle, a decision he called “the most stupid of his life.”
The 24-year-old returned to the saddle in March and has ridden 11 winners from 133 rides.
Davies had a meteoric rise in his first year riding, smashing in 67 winners from 456 rides in 2022.
He has also ridden 11 winners this campaign, albeit from 80 rides, and he still retains his 3lb claim.
His first taste of the big time came at Nottingham this year, when he downed Trueshan aboard Rajinsky in the Further Flight Stakes.
