Apprentice jockey Blaike McDougall has been suspended for careless riding following an incident after that left Tim Clark lucky to avoid serious injury.

Clark was winded and bruised when his mount Eastern Legend fell after clipping the heels of the McDougall-ridden Viceroy at Warwick Farm last week.

McDougall pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge at a hearing held by Racing NSW stewards on Wednesday and was suspended for 17 meetings.

He said he was attempting to take evasive action after finding himself on the heels of Penske at the 200m and admitted by shifting in Clark was unable to prevent Eastern Legend clipping his horse.

Stewards said the incident was serious and noted McDougall had received five suspensions during the past year.

However, they reduced the penalty by three meetings because of McDougall's inexperience and his guilty plea.

The suspension starts on June 17 and he will be free to resume riding on July 20.