Oliver says rail contributed to careless riding suspension

Brad Waters - Saturday September 23

Champion jockey Damien Oliver says the rail placement contributed to an incident that led to him receiving at 14-meeting suspension at Caulfield.

Advertisement
Damien Oliver was suspended for careless riding at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Oliver pleaded guilty to careless riding after stewards established Lycurgus was severely hampered in an incident at the 1400m of the Lojac Civil Handicap (1800m).

Oliver allowed his mount Sherlock Holmes to shift in for a stride but the quick action was enough to squeeze Lycurgus and hamper Thunder Teddington, which was subsequently pulled up by his rider, while Skulduggery also suffered interference in the incident.

Thunder Teddington was later found to be lame in his near hind leg.

Oliver told stewards the rail was in an awkward position early at the point of the interference and looked at old footage of races where the rail was out in the nine-metre range.

"You make the first turn and it's like a dogleg and then the second part of the turn comes out at you," Oliver said.

"I've ridden here for 30 years and you kind of know where the corners are. It's not a proper arc, it turns straightens and turns again.

"I was in no particular hurry to get across but the turn was a bit obscured and he made the turn quicker than expected."

Oliver told stewards he had Sherlock Holmes's head turned out at the point of the interference.

Chief steward Terry Bailey told the jockey the "damage had already been done" when he took his mount away from the affected runners.

Oliver said he would not appeal the decision or the penalty, which begins on midnight on Saturday and ends in time for the rider to return for the Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington on October 7.

Oliver said he did not have significant rides lined up in Melbourne next weekend.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Wootton Bassett 2YOs on the March
Wootton Bassett’s star Northern Hemisphere two year-old Albert Einstein has been ruled out of Royal Ascot with a sprained joint that will require a few weeks off, but the red hot sire added two more talented debut winning juvenile colts at The Curragh overnight.
Third Stakes Success For Justify’s Spicy Martini
A winner of four from six, three at stakes level highlighted by the reschedule Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m), the Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean trained Spicy Martini (Justify) will now head to the Group 1 Stradbroke with just 49.5kgs on her back – not bad for an $8,000 online yearling purchase!
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
Stakes Performed Zousain Filly Too Good At Doomben
Third in the Listed Calaway Stakes two starts back, lightly raced two-year-old Zousain filly Sweet Pretender produced the goods at Doomben, charging late to win the Mullins Lawyers QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350m).
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Frosty Girl impressive on debut
The Chris Waller-trained Frosty Girl made the perfect start to her career when coming from last to land the Asahi Super Dry Plate (1300m) on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Written By Filly Dominates Warwick Farm Juvenile Contest
First seen at the two-year-old trials back in September, Marc Conners’ chestnut filly Penpel (Written By) produce a quality effort at just her second racetrack appearance, racing clear at Warwick Farm to score by more than three lengths.
Blueblood Import - American-Bred Jillaroo Records First Win
Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Second Winner For Ghaiyyath As Observer Scores By Five
Second on debut when just three parts of a length off the winner at Pakenham, the James Cummings’ trained Observer (Ghaiyyath) looked sensational as he made a mess of his rivals to score over 1400m in the Tile Importer Handicap on the Sandown Lakeside course.