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...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 24
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
One to Watch – Wyong
The juvenile maiden at Wyong on Tuesday had some interesting runners including the highest price yearling by Maurice (Jpn) sold in 2024 and he did take the win, but it was not without drama.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
Capitalist 2YO Wins for Doyle
Nathan Doyle and his team would be bubbling with excitement surrounding the return of their unbeaten G1 star Private Harry, but as they say ‘little fish are sweet’ and the stable were in the winner’s circle at Wyong on Tuesday with a two year-old son of Capitalist.
Ardrossan Supporters Rewarded with Taken
The emergence of the Victorian-based Taken is another winning story for a New Zealand breeding and ownership group established to support the three-year-old’s young sire.