Aussies hit Dettori with month ban

Frankie Dettori's memorable 2004 turf campaign has ended on a sour note after the Flemington stewards hit him with a controversial careless riding ban arising from his handling of Mamool in yesterday's Melbourne Cup.

The champion jockey elect caused interference to fellow British challenger Distinction as he angled for a run on the home turn and was asked to appear before the stewards in a delayed hearing earlier today.

A similar incident in Britain would have yielded a two-day ban at worst, but Aussie officials are known for their hard-line approach and handed the Italian a 30-day suspension which will come into effect just hours after he receives a trophy in recognition of his third title at Doncaster on Saturday. Dettori admitted that he had made a mistake, thus reducing the risk of an even longer ban, but argued that "I thought the interference was minimal."

However, his agent Ray Cochrane had warned him not to expect any leniency. "It's a case of when in Rome you play by the Roman rules," he said.

"I got a month when I rode Taufan's Melody down there a few years ago. I deserved it because I took half the field out, and although Frankie said this case amounted to next to nothing I told him to fear the worst if he was guilty."

Fortunately for Dettori, the ban will be over in time for him to ride in the prestigious Hong Kong International meeting in mid December.