Damien Oliver should not be riding at this year’s Spring Racing Carnival.
The 41-year-old, who has won the ‘grand slam’ of Australian racing – the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Golden Slipper, is set to soon crack the magical milestone of 100 Group 1 wins.
Oliver is deserving of a seat at the table when it comes to discussing who the best ever jockey is to have ridden in Australia.
However, ‘Olly’, who returned to the saddle on September 13 after serving a 10-month ban, should be watching the action from this year’s carnival from the sidelines, not chasing Group 1 glory.
Oliver’s suspension came as a result of placing a $10,000 bet via a third party on a rival horse in a race in which he rode in 2010.
He was disqualified for eight months and received a further two months’ suspension for using a mobile phone in the area of the jockeys’ room, something that is also against the rules.
The rival horse, favourite Miss Octopussy, won and paid $2.30. Oliver’s mount, second favourite Europa Point, finished sixth.
Now, there’s been no evidence to suggest Oliver didn’t ride Europa Point to the best of his ability. However, with his own money on Miss Octopussy, we cannot be entirely certain he gave his mare every possibly chance of winning the race. And that stinks.
The racing industry relies on punters. They invest their hard-earned and deserve to know that when they do part with their cash, there’s nothing dodgy going on behind the scenes. They’re not fools and don’t deserve to be treated as such. As soon as they lose faith in the game, it’s hard to keep them in the sport.
Oliver has been back riding for nearly a month now and seems to have lost none of his champion qualities, punching home winner after winner with typical ease.
Things are looking very bright for the star hoop. He has a great book of rides at Caulfield on Saturday, including top chance Prince Harada in the $1m Caulfield Guineas. And just this week he won the plum rides on Melbourne Cup favourite and Cox Plate fancy Fiorente, and David Hayes’ import Jet Away in the Caulfield Cup.
Integrity is the most important ingredient when it comes to racing. Oliver compromised that and should’ve been made to pay.
His penalty was far too lenient and for all the good he’s done for the sport throughout his glittering career, he shouldn’t be allowed to be doing what he does best…at least not until the new year.
ItStrawb
Guest
Do u think that was ollies first bet. I think not. Hope hes backed Jetaway !!for cups double -got him goin for a fortune!
nan2can
Guest
Trent - are you serious??????? The guys done the time he was given- the umpire made the decision he thought would prevent others- and it wasnt just the 10 mths how much income did he loose from being out of the action/ Go Ollie Stick it up em
kv joef
Guest
Hard markers you lot ... $500,000+ penalty not big enough!!! (let alone what he would have won on the punt:)). Stewards followed the same due diligence as Murrihy accorded Blake Shinn (1yr) and P.Robl (9mnths) for the same offense. Remember Shinn's turnover was $300,000+. They let K.O'Hara walk and she was complicit in the knowledge of what they were doing. I also think a country jockey might have been less penalised - loss of income is the measuring stick. Stewards get very serious if third parties are involved a.k.a. D Nikolic. On your measure of punishment what does a jock get who 'doesn't allow a horse to run on its merits? Which is worse - a jock trying to win even though he backed another horse or a hoop who drops his hands to miss a minor slot costing punters like you and me in the exotics.
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
Agree with your comments Justin and should've made that comment re RVL in my piece. Oliver did the wrong as was handed his punishment, which in my opinion wasn't severe enough. But of course he's not going to suggest that to RVL. He took his medicine and is back riding in great fashion. He is the best jockey I've ever seen on our shores but the fact he was able to ride during last year's carnival and come back just in time for this year's racing showpiece, after committing a serious offence, is far too convenient. I'm not sure an unknown jockey from the bush, someone without a profile, would've been so lucky.
Justin Cinque
Expert
The important thing to remember here is - notwithstanding any rumoured plea bargains - that the stewards gave Oli nine months. Any anger about seeing Oliver ride this Spring Carnival should be directed at RVL and not Damien. Oliver can only accept the unpire's decision and for what it's worth it probably was a little too light in my opinion. Oli made a mistake, was punished for it and has served his punishment. I hope he rides well this spring because an in form Oli is a sight to behold and good for racing. I just hope Oli's stint on the sidelines had the deterrant effect it needed to have. And he has no control over that. That's what the judiciary is for.
Tomas
Guest
Completely agree, Trent - for one of Australia's top hoops to be involved in such an unsavoury incident is a very, very poor reflection on the sport. Should have been stomped on, 12 months at the least.