Jockey Damien Oliver will be watching from the sidelines on Victoria Derby Day this Saturday after a judge decided to not shorten the 20-meeting ban imposed on him for his winning ride aboard Flying Artie (Aus) (Artie Schiller) in the Oct. 12 G3 Blue Sapphire S. at Caulfield, according to Racing.com.
Judge Pamela Jenkins described the ban as “the minimum appropriate” and said “although no injury or death in fact resulted, the actions of the applicant created a potential risk of real and grave consequences.” Oliver was penalised for pushing Flying Artie out into a horse on his outside, and Jenkins deemed he put his rival and his jockey at risk.
“It is imperative that jockeys expect to be dealt with severely in terms of such potential risks and not be prepared to take such risks, as the applicant was so clearly prepared to do,” she said.
Oliver, who will miss the ride on Flying Artie in Saturday's G1 Coolmore Stud S., will return to riding Melbourne Cup Day Nov. 1.
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