TOP New Zealand rider Lisa Cropp will ride at Sha Tin on Ladies' Day - thanks to an understanding appeals panel, writes Robin Parke.
Cropp was suspended for careless riding after a weekend meeting and that would have ruled her out of her Sha Tin date on October 14 when she was set to parade her considerable talents with English rider Emma O'Gorman. But yesterday in Auckland her appeal was partially allowed and her suspension will now end at midnight on October 13.
Cropp will fly here early next week for an eagerly awaited appearance at Sha Tin. She said: 'I was so relieved and I am really grateful that they listened to me. I would have hated missing Sha Tin because I really wanted to ride there last year against Julie Krone, but it was all a bit late.
'But they said to me then they would keep me in mind for this year and they have been as good as their word. I am looking forward to it tremendously.' Meanwhile, Clerk of the Course John Ridley said late yesterday that five planned grass trials for Sha Tin this morning were still on.
But with intermittent rain sweeping across the course a final decision will not be taken until late.