Kathy O’Hara has had the celebration of an upset win on Noble Joey soured by a fine for misconduct after firing back at stewards during an inquiry into a different race.
The Group One-winning rider told stewards “it’s a f***ing joke” as she left the room after they inquired into an incident in the Randwick Mayor’s Cup.
O’Hara pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $1000, $500 suspended for 12 months as long as she does not re-offend.
“You might not like the questions from this side of the table,” acting chief steward Philip Dingwall told O’Hara.
O’Hara agreed but told stewards she was “frustrated” as she “felt like she was getting pinned” for something that was not her fault.
“I know it’s unprofessional and not acceptable,” she said.
She was much happier with Noble Joey’s result after the $26 chance beat $3.90 favourite She Knows to win the ATC Club Handicap (1000m) after a long absence from the winners’ circle.
“He went really well,” she said.
“He has got his confidence back and hit the line well.”
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