The ongoing saga between jockey Danny Nikolic and Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey has gone on long enough.
The time has now come for Racing Victoria to categorically put an end to the issue by either standing down Bailey as chief steward, or banning Nikolic from riding in Victoria.
The latest of the dramas occurred at Seymour on September 4 when Bailey alleged Nikolic made a threat against his family and subsequently banned the jockey indefinitely.
When fronted by the media, Nikolic denied making the threat, instead alleging Bailey taunted him saying, ”I’ve told you I was going to f––k your career.”
Nikolic was booked to ride four-time G1 winning mare Mosheen on Satuday at Flemington in the Bobby Lewis Stakes, and has had to be replaced by Mark Zahra.
This continuing he-said-she-said drama dates back to 2009 when stewards, headed by Terry Bailey, commenced an inquiry into 21 of Nikolic’s rides. The inquiry was deemed to be career-threatening at the time as it was believed Nikolic was not giving his mounts every chance of winning.
Nikolic was laid with nine charges associated with improper practices and conduct prejudicial to the image of racing. He appealed the penalty and was successful after pleading guilty to lesser charges totalling a fine of $3000.
From this hearing, damage had been done to Nikolic’s image and Bailey had been discredited after his initial charges were thrown out by the appeals board. Both had a vendetta against the other.
Nikolic again made headlines in October of 2010 when he drank a beer behind the barriers during a Ballarat meet. He claimed he was just rinsing his mouth and was issued a $200 fine.
The biggest headline came a month after that when Nikolic and Bailey had a heated exchange in the Flemington steward’s room after Bailey confiscated Nikolic’s riding vest after a race.
After conducting a scrupulous inspection of the vest, Bailey deemed it to be modified beyond Racing Victoria standards and issued at $1000 fine.
Bailey then ordered Nikolic to front Racing Victoria for his behaviour in the steward’s room.
Nikolic deemed Bailey a “disgrace” and felt he had been unfairly targeted by the chief steward who had the authority to suspend Nikolic for dangerous riding where he felt fit, a charge which is extremely inconsistent.
Nikolic has been the subject of an ongoing police inquiry into the integrity of racing in Victoria: the Smoking Aces scandal in which Nikolic is alleged to have conspired with others to ensure his mount would win a race at Cranbourne.
Nikolic, aboard Smoking Aces, went on to win the race and family friends of the jockey won over $200,000.
After failing to have his indefinite riding suspension overturned, Nikolic must wait until Wednesday to front Racing Victoria, who must end this ongoing saga between its chief steward and one of Victoria’s decorated jockeys.
They must either uphold the decision by Bailey, banning Nikolic from riding in Victoria, or they must overturn Bailey’s decision and stand down Terry Bailey as the Racing Victoria chief steward.
If Nikolic’s punishment is again overturned by Racing Victoria, it may be a further blow to the credibility of Bailey.
It has become clear that these two egos cannot coexist, and there is an obvious conflict of interest.
One of them has to go, and Racing Victoria must make the call on Wednesday.
Peko
Guest
Nickolic's single-minded determined, arrogant ,attitude has made him a successful jockey but the same attributes will finish him...
Alfred Chan
Expert
The fact that Nikolic has continued to get high profile rides from Melbourne's leading trainers and owners suggests to me that he is still somewhat respected in the industry. Whether that be for the way he rides horses or for other reasons, his peers appear to still support him.
Cameron Rose
Expert
I have to say, i'm not one who really gets into the off-field issues in any sport, preferring to concentrate on things with the arena, but frankly, there's been far, far too much smoke surrounding Nikolic without there being a hell of a lot of fire. I think he needs to be punted from the industry, at least from a state perspective.
punting gal
Guest
The truth of the matter is that the previous chief victorian steward never had a problem with any jockeys and vice versa, i will always fully support Nikolic. When people are successful there is always someone is ready to pull them down. Life always has a way of turning the full circle.
Travis Noonan
Roar Rookie
Bailey should not go he has done Victorian Racing good , he just shouldnt deal with Nikolic. Nikolic has already lost his reputation as a rider and many others are soon to be exposed, Neverthless one of the most Intresting cases in racing. Hopefully Bailey doesnt go he is only been fixing a wreck that he was left with.
Bondy.
Guest
Worth a read that it gets complicated at times,but worth a read.
Andrew C (waikato)
Guest
Sounds like shades of the Shreck/Compton feud in Sydney all those years ago - it was alleged Shreck was not blameless at all (and that's about all I'll say - though Kevin Perkins alludes to more in 'The Gambling Man' :)
Unlucky Punter
Guest
One of them has to go? BOTH of them have to go. Never before have I seen an official make a sport headlines as much as Terry Bailey. From all the reports I have read, he clearly has it in for Nikolic. Even if Nikolic has done something to cause this ruckus, the way Bailey has handled the situation makes his position untenable. Ban Nikolic and sack Bailey. As you mentioned, there is a clear conflict of interest and both need to go.
Bondy.
Guest
What this primarily boils down to is stewards cant act like real police and enforce civil law,you cant ban somebody on speculation. And is anyone dirty about that "plenty". This should just about destroy Nikolic as a professional rider one way or another.