Tyler Schiller targets win in The Hunter following successful appeal against careless riding ban in Golden Eagle

Sydney premiership contender Tyler Schiller has been given the green light to ride in The Hunter after he was cleared of any wrongdoing in the Golden Eagle.

Tyler Schiller is free to ride this Saturday after having a careless riding ban quashed. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Jockey Tyler Schiller has set his sights on a late spring raid at Saturday’s The Hunter day at Newcastle after his decision to fight a controversial careless riding ban was vindicated this week.

Schiller, who pilots Coal Crusher in the $1m The Hunter, took his case to the Racing NSW Appeals Panel on Monday to fight a suspension picked up while riding Strait Acer in the Golden Eagle on November 4.

• ‘We would have beaten Imperatriz in The Everest’: Joe Pride

The Group 1-winning rider found himself to be a victim of circumstance when Strait Acer shifted in abruptly and caused a domino reaction to runners to his inside including race favourite Amelia’s Jewel.

The severe interference led to jockey Damian Lane declaring he was “glad I came back to the jockeys’ room alive” while Amelia’s Jewel needed stitches to a laceration to her near-fore fetlock post-race.

Let’s rewatch that incredible James Squire Golden Eagle win by Obamburumai via the @7horseracing drone ✈️🎌@netkeiba@JRA_WorldRacing@[e-mail]/Q0Mrx1oL2z

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) November 6, 2023

But an appeals panel have since cleared Schiller of wrongdoing from the incident, paving the way for him to ride this weekend.

“I thought at the time it was a bit harsh that I did get suspended because I did everything by the rule book,” Schiller said.

“It was just unfortunate that my horse didn’t react how I would have liked and in turn caused pretty heavy interference.

“I understand that but for them to pin that on me, I thought I was a bit stiff.”

• Ranked: Queensland’s top 20 rising jockeys uncovered

Schiller was initially supposed to begin his ban on November 14 and be sidelined until Saturday week but booted home a double at Wyong on Tuesday instead.

He said the case against him came down to “one stride really”.

“The stewards thought I reacted a stride too late and we argued that I didn’t,” Schiller said.

“Being a big horse, he is a bit difficult to manoeuvre at times and when he did step in, I thought I reacted as quick as I could.

“I was very grateful to have (lawyer) Wayne Pasterfield by my side.”

Coal Crusher is one of the leading chances in The Hunter. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Schiller had been fighting for the chance to ride Coal Crusher in The Hunter after piloting him in all three of his starts this preparation.

Trainer Joseph Pride has been planning a raid on Newcastle’s lucrative feature since his first-up third at Warwick Farm before producing a pair of strong feature runs.

• ‘The brain can heal’: Michael Rodd details incredible recovery

Coal Crusher battled on bravely on speed to finish fourth in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes and only finished a touch over a length and a half off Bella Nipotina in the Giga Kick Stakes last start.

“He went super first-up and second-up and then his run the other day was enormous,” Schiller said.

“He has only got beaten half a length by Think About It and the other two, Bella Nipotina and Private Eye, weren’t too far ahead of him.

“I think the blinkers going back on on Saturday will really suit him.”

Coal Crusher is a $6 third pick in TAB betting for The Hunter where Mazu ($4 fav) and Far Too Easy ($5) are the leading chances.

Originally published as Tyler Schiller targets win in The Hunter following successful appeal against careless riding ban in Golden Eagle