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 Damien Oliver has escaped a one month suspension and received only a severe reprimand for testing positive to the banned substance Ephedrine.
Fronting the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board earlier this afternoon, Oliver, 37, was appealing against the severity of penalty imposed by Racing Victoria stewards last Monday. The inquiry heard the champion jockey had been taking a herbal supplement from 2002 to 2008 and in that period of time provided five clear urine samples. It was after a rule change was made in October 2008 that Racing Victoria had implemented more sensitive drug testing measures. However stewards conceded that communication between themselves and jockeys about the rule change was lacking. In handling down his upheld verdict, Chairman of the RAD Board Judge Russell Lewis said there was an obligation for jockeys to know the rules that govern the sport however noted there was a communication breakdown between the two parties. In allowing Oliver to continue to ride, Lewis warned that in future all jockeys should remain vigilant over what supplements they are permitted to take and that such a forgiving approach wouldn't necessarily be taken in future. ASADA (Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency) has ephedrine on its banned list and describes the drug as "central-nervous-system stimulant". Melbourne Cup winning jockey Blake Shinn tested positive to Ephedrine in March 2008 at a Rosehill meeting and at a later inquiry was suspended for a month. The severe reprimand means Oliver will be allowed to ride Sniper's Bullet in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) this Saturday at Ascot. More importantly, he will be able to partner Apache Cat in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on December 13. Oliver has won the Melbourne Jockeys' Premiership on eight occasions and tied for the title with Craig Williams last season.
Picture - Quentin Lang
© 2010 Published 30/11/09
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