John Allen is free to ride on Victoria Derby day at Flemington after having a careless riding ban varied on appeal.

Allen was suspended for eight meetings at Geelong on Wednesday but was able to get one meeting shaved off at an appeal on Friday against the severity of the penalty.

It means Allen will not miss a Saturday meeting, with his suspension to start after he rides at Saturday’s Cox Plate meeting at Moonee Valley.

He can return for the Victoria Derby meeting at Flemington on Saturday week.