Jockey Stephen Baster is able to fulfil his engagements at Sandown on Saturday after he narrowly escaped suspension for careless riding on Wednesday.

Baster has four rides including Mr Martini in the $100,000 Barton Stakes (1400m) and the David Hayes-trained two-year-old Solar Mighty who won his only start at Murray Bridge earlier this month.

Baster was charged and found guilty of careless riding on Centopia who lost second place on protest to Cool And Composed in the Summer Hcp at Sandown on Wednesday.

Centopia shifted out from near the 300m until approaching the winning post when not sufficiently clear of Cool And Composed, resulting in Cool And Composed and Illusionist being hampered and taken off their course.

In a heated exchange with stewards, Baster argued that his mount was hanging and thereby contributed to the careless riding charge and that he did not make contact with any horse or cause any danger to any other rider.

In recent months stewards have clamped down on careless riding infringements with those found guilty suspended almost without exception.

After taking into account all the circumstances, Baster was found guilty but escaped with a severe reprimand.

Baster was anxious to honour his commitments to owners and trainers and in particular has had a long association with Mr Martini, riding him in eight of his 11 starts including his Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes victory in October 2004.

Last start the Kevin Corstens-trained four-year-old, who injured a tendon last autumn, resumed in the Standish Hcp (1100m) at Flemington and after showing early pace weakened to finish second last in the 11-horse field.

Mr Martini was a promising stayer last season, finishing sixth to Plastered in the 2004 Victoria Derby, and will appreciate the extra 300 metres in the Barton.

Fasliyev colt Solar Mighty is a son of five-time Melbourne winner Madame Plume and cost $60,000 at the Sydney Easter Sale.

At his only start he ran on from back in the field to score a long neck win over Our Logic at Murray Bridge on January 4.

Debutant Danever, also trained by Hayes, could be his biggest threat in Saturday's Thomas North Plate (1200m) being by Danehill from Irish River mare Riveryev and costing $850,000 at last year's Magic Millions Premier sale.

Baster's other rides are Al Tharb in the Robert Taranto Hcp (2100m) and Beccaly in the Robert Hunter Hcp (1600m).

Photo: Quentin Lang 

© AAP 2010 Published 13/01/06