Queensland Racing Limited (QR) stewards have not yet fixed a
date for the resumption of an inquiry into the running and
handling of Baby Boom at the Sunshine Coast last month.
Former Victorian rider John Keating and Gold Coast trainer
John Nikolic were questioned by stewards immediately after
Baby Boom finished fourth as the $1.30 favourite in a Maiden
Handicap (1000m) at Caloundra on January 3.
The inquiry was opened after stewards established that a
large volume of money was placed on the horse to lose with
betting agency Betfair.
Chief steward Wade Birch flew to Melbourne last week to
interview a professional punter who also acts as a commission
agent.
Nikolic and Keating, now based at Coffs Harbour, have been
interviewed twice and been told they will be required again
when the inquiry resumes.
At the initial inquiry, evidence was taken from Nikolic
regarding his association with a Gold Coast punter who has
declined requests from stewards to assist in their
investigations.
Meanwhile, a directions hearing involving apprentice Daniel
Ganderton and QR stewards will begin in the newly-formed
Queensland Civil Administration Tribunal (QCAT) on Wednesday.
Neither Ganderton nor his master Paul Messara will be
required to attend the hearing which will rule on the
stewards' appeal against Ganderton being exonerated by
Queensland's first level appeal body against a two-month
suspension.
Ganderton, who will ride Blue Diamond Stakes favourite
Beneteau at Caulfield on Saturday, was suspended by
Queensland stewards following his ride on Deer Valley at the
Gold Coast on January 2.
Stewards found the 21-year-old apprentice guilty of failing
to take all reasonable and permissible measures to give the
Steele Ryan-trained Deer Valley every chance when she
finished sixth to the Gillian Heinrich-trained Sweepstaking.
No date has yet been announced for another appeal by stewards
after jockey Ric McMahon had a three-month suspension
overturned.
McMahon was initially suspended for improper riding on
Haslington at the Gold Coast on Boxing Day.
The John Morrisey-trained Haslington finished third to Coming
Up Trumps in a 1400-metre maiden.
Stewards expressed concern that McMahon allowed Haslington to
shift away from the inside rail which gave Coming Up Trumps a
run to his inside.
Haslington was beaten just over a length.
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