Oliver loses out on appeal to RAD Board

Damien Oliver on Vega Magic
Damien Oliver will miss the Group One ride on Lawrence Stakes winner Vega Magic through suspension.

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 on Tuesday 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.

At the raceday inquiry, Oliver pleaded guilty to high range careless riding but cited mitigating circumstances when he shifted in on eventual winner Esperance resulting in interference to other runners.

Oliver told stewards he had been used by Craig Williams on Esperance but Judge Bowman disagreed.

Ironically Williams has picked up the Memsie ride on Vega Magic who he rode to win the Group One Goodwood in May.

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