A FURIOUS jockey has hit out at being disqualifed and banned after he lost weight sweating during the summer heatwave.
Jason Watson blasted the 'extremely harsh' punishment dished out following a race at Lingfield on Wednesday.
Watson came second in a 1m4f contest on 6-1 shot Tindrum, landing connections a runners-up cheque of £1,344.
But the jockey was stripped of his finish and prize money, and the horse's trainer Heather Main fined £500, after he weighed in light following the race.
All jockeys weigh in before and after a contest.
When he weighed out, Watson was 9st 6lbs, but he weighed in at 9st 4lbs – a loss of 2lbs.
The jockey put the difference down to weight lost sweating as Britain basked in temperatures exceeding 30C.
Watson said: "I don't need to tell anyone that it's a very hot day and when I weighed out, I was flickering on the right weight anyway.
'UNFAIR'
"I was pushing throughout the race and it's very hard work.
"It makes it easier for the sweat to come out and I've lost a lot of weight during the race.
"I've been drinking water for pretty much the last day and a half without having a lot of solid food so it makes it easier for the sweat to come out.
"I feel as though it was a bit unfair, but I feel more sorry for Mrs Main and the owners because it's hard enough to get anything out of this game after the pandemic.
"You can't control the climate and to have the prize money taken away and a fine, I feel is extremely harsh.
"Why would you want to come into this industry when things like that happen?"
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The stewards' report read: "It was noted that despite the warm conditions all other riders that were required to weigh, weighed in either at the same weight, or slightly heavy, but still within the allowable parameters.
"As the stewards were unable to establish an explanation for the weight difference, Watson was suspended for two days and Main was fined £500."
At least Watson ended the day on a good note, though, guiding 4-1 Salsoul to victory in a 6f contest worth £2,862.
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