Oliver out of Memsie after ban upheld
DAMIEN Oliver will miss the first Group One race of the season after failing in his bid to have a careless riding suspension reduced.
Oliver fronted the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board yesterday trying to have a 14- meeting ban from last Wednesday’s Sandown meeting shaved so he could ride at the Memsie Stakes meeting on Saturday week.
He rode Vega Magic to win the Listed Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday and wanted to partner the Lindsay Park- trained horse in the $ 1 million Memsie Stakes ( 1400m) at Caulfield.
He began his suspension after Saturday’s meeting and can return on September 3 after RAD Board chairman Judge John Bowman dismissed his appeal and ordered the penalty to stand. And, in a sting in the tail for all jockeys, Judge Bowman warned he “can and will” consider increasing penalties imposed by stewards in future if “circumstances warranted it”.
Judge Bowman said Oliver’s two- week penalty was “very fair”.
Ironically, Craig Williams, the rival jockey in the dispute, has picked up the Memsie ride on Vega Magic, who he rode to win the Group One Goodwood in May.
Meanwhile, trainer Robbie Laing is hoping a change of routine can settle promising colt Frankel My Dear as he looks to make amends for an unlucky debut in Saturday’s Listed McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley.
The son of unbeaten English champion Frankel was fifth at Flemington earlier this month and Laing felt his inexperience may have proved costly.
Laing is hopeful a trip away from his Cranbourne base for a track gallop at Moonee Valley yesterday morning can help Frankel My Dear produce his best this weekend.
“Going to Flemington and then coming here has been good for him,” Laing said.