New twist in Berry saga

Probe into punter linked to suspended jockey

ANOTHER twist in the longrunning Tommy Berry suspension saga has emerged.

Queensland stewards have launched an investigation into renowned punter Zaid Miller and his possible attendance at the Magic Millions in January while banned from race tracks.

News Corp Australia can reveal the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission has opened an investigation into the matter after pictures allegedly emerged of Miller in the mounting yard during the meeting in January.

Berry was banned for a year in January for his alleged association with Miller, after a stewards’ investigation found he had been “accepting or agreeing to accept a consideration” from bets placed by the Gold Coast-based punter, which were paid into his mother’s bank account.

Although Berry pleaded not guilty to those charges, stewards issued their penalty after determining the jockey was aware money was being transferred by Miller to a third party.

While he was suspended at the time, Berry (pictured) was able to secure a stay of proceedings to ride at the Magic Millions.

That stay has since been revoked by the jockey and he is not riding until the appeal against his disqualification is heard on March 1.

Miller, however, was banned for 15 months on four separate charges, which saw him added to the New South Wales disqualification list.

“QRIC stewards are aware of the allegation that New South Wales disqualified person, Zaid Miller attended the Gold Coast Magic Millions race day on Wednesday 18 January without the permission of the stewards,” a QRIC spokesman said. “Mr Miller’s presence is currently under investigation and the Commission will make no further comment at this stage.

“Disqualified people are not permitted to enter a racecourse unless otherwise authorised by the racing authority that imposed the disqualification.

“The issue of warned off people is everyone’s responsibility and members of the public, or race club staff, can report incidents to stewards through the Report Something portal on the QRIC website.”