Jockey Shane Scriven has appealed a suspension in order to ride fancied runner Scenic Shot in the Group 2 Sandown Classic (2400m) this weekend on the closing day of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Scriven, who was found guilty of careless riding at Doomben aboard Southerly Impact last Saturday, has been granted a stay of proceedings by stewards allowing him to take the mount on Scenic Shot for the $350 000 feature at Sandown this Saturday.
The seven meeting suspension would have cost the heavyweight hoop his ride in the Classic on the Perth galloper had he not appealed. Considering the successful history of the duo, that was not something he was prepared to give up.
Scriven has ridden Scenic Shot to victory in a number of quality races including the Group 1 Doomben Cup, Group 2 O?Shea Stakes and the Group 2 Brisbane Cup.
The pair have also had success this Flemington Carnival, winning the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on October 31.
Boasting an impressive recent record and displaying career-best form, Scenic Shot looks sure to start the Sandown Classic as the odds-on favourite where he will come up against the winner of the last two Classics, eight-year-old Zipping.