BRISBANE jockey Andrew Spinks has spoken out to publicly defend his reputation after he was this week slapped with a four-week ban for not giving a horse full opportunity to win at the Gold Coast last Saturday.

BRAD DAVIDSON reports in the GOLD COAST BULLETIN that Spinks conceded he made a "bad error of judgment" and pleaded guilty to breaking law AR135(b) which states the rider of every horse shall take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his horse is given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field.

Stewards launched the inquiry on Saturday after they were concerned about Spinks' actions aboard fancied runner Cash For Matt ($4.20) over the final 500m of the Colts and Geldings Maiden (1100m).

The horse settled at the rear of the field and Spinks did not pull the whip until inside the final 200m.

Speaking after the hearing, Spinks conceded his ride was poor but stressed there was nothing untoward about his effort.

"This is the first time I've been charged under this rule and in 23 years of being a jockey not many of my rides have come under scrutiny," Spinks said.

"There was nothing sinister about the ride and it was just a bad, bad error of judgment."

Spinks confirmed trainer Rochelle Smith instructed him to settle down fourth, one-off the fence but Cash For Matt was last in the main group in the early stages.

Spinks said he simply paid the price for not following instructions.

"I think it was a bit lacklustre, the ride, and I feel I could have done better," Spinks said.

"I just didn't ride to instructions and I didn't do what the trainer told me to do and that's the end result.

"I told the trainer when I got back I was disappointed in the ride and that I rode the horse bad."

Senior steward Norm Torpey, who was chairman of stewards at the Gold Coast on Saturday, said there was no evidence to suggest sinister betting activity.

"That was one of reasons we adjourned the inquiry from Saturday until Monday to review the betting activities," Torpey said. "The horse was supported along with three others and the connections did tell us they did support their horse. No aspect of the betting concerned us."

Torpey said the penalty took into account Spinks' good record. "We looked at penalties handed down for the contravention of this rule over the last five years and the majority of penalties have been six weeks.

"We took into account his 23-year record as a jockey and this was the first time he has faced this charge.

"The fact he pleaded guilty and all the other circumstances regarding his individual set of circumstances meant it became four weeks."

Spinks can ride until Sunday.

STORY SOURCE: GOLD COAST BULLETIN - NEWS LIMITED.