Jockey facing QRIC block

THE Queensland Racing Integrity Commission will fight to block Cairns jockey Amanda Thomson’s application for a stay of proceedings for her sixmonth riding ban.

The local apprentice jockey was earlier this month suspended for six months for failing a breath test at trackwork.

QRIC officers conducted a snap check on riders at Cairns on October 30 and found the local hoop to be in excess of the permitted threshold of .02, with Thomson’s licence suspended from the day she was stood down on October 30 until April 30.

The 31-year-old has since applied to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a stay of proceedings to be able to ride.

The application is in a holding process with the QRIC having the option to respond to it, deciding either to challenge or accept the stay of proceedings to permit Thomson to ride, potentially as early as today.

“We only have the application at this time and nothing further, unfortunately,” the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s Andrew Dunne said.

Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett said the safety of other participants had to be considered when a jockey failed a breath test at work.

“The QRIC will object against the stay being granted due to the seriousness of the charges against Ms Thomson,” Barnett said.

When the QRIC handed down Thomson’s original ban, it said one month would be wholly suspended for a period of two years on the provision she completed a drug and alcohol course.

Thomson will also be required to provide a clear urine and drug test before her licence is reinstated.

The jockey pleaded guilty to the charge at Townsville’s Cluden Park this month and stewards accepted her explanation for not attending her scheduled inquiry just days before with no further action taken.

■ Meanwhile, the Stephen Massingham-trained Reagan makes his return this afternoon at Townsville.

The four-year-old gelding backed up his March 16 maiden win with another first-place performance in the ThreeYears-Old Handicap over 1250m at Cannon Park a fortnight later.

The former NSW-based gelding won his first two races in the north by eight lengths and returns from a spell this afternoon in the $17,000 Ratings Band 0-60 Handicap – Base Rating 50 (1000m).

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