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See why Jockey Danny Nikolic’s ride on third favourite Royal Mail has become the centre of a steward’s inquiry.

Another ride by jockey Danny Nikolic has fallen into the spotlight. Picture: Hamish Blair
Source: Herald Sun

WHILE the stewards may have deemed the $100,000 Victoria Cup worthy of only a few cursory lines, the jungle drums were beating loudly after the Caulfield race.

Royal Mail (Danny Nikolic) and Sea Galleon (Ben Melham) were the form horses in the 2000m Listed event, with Nicholas Hall’s mount, Bolton, the other fancied runner.

In pre-post betting Royal Mail ($3.50 to $4.80) and Sea Galleon ($3.70 to $4.60) were noticeably easy whereas Bolton was $3.50 into $2.50 from TAB Sportsbet’s Friday fixed odds by the time the field jumped.

And on face value the punters got it right, Bolton bolting in while Royal Mail ran home into third after being caught up and Sea Galleon finishing seven lengths away, with stewards accepting the jockey’s explanation the track was too firm.

The scenes around the third placegetter’s stall made interesting viewing, with Nikolic dismounting and not appearing to exchange any words with Cranbourne-based trainer Dean Howard.

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Howard, who refused to comment yesterday other than to confirm he had been ordered to attend an inquiry into the race on Monday, was said to be less than pleased with the ride.

 “Disgusted” was one description, one he refused to confirm yesterday.

At the same time, he had credited Nikolic with a “15 out of 10 ride” on Royal Mail last December, when the pair had combined to easily win a 2040m race at Moonee Valley.

Interestingly Nikolic retained the mount on Royal Mail after the Victoria Cup, piloting the gelding into 10th of 13 in the $300,000 Mornington Cup.

Royal Mail (highlighted) settles mid-field. Picture: Tvn
Source: HWT Image Library

When Royal Mail returned to the track for two runs in June-July, Damian Lane and Noel Callow were his riders. The horse is now spelling.

Royal Mail is owned by Southern Hemisphere Bloodstock.

Yesterday Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna confirmed the inquiry into the Victoria Cup involves allegations of race fixing.

Herald Sun racing reporter and form analyst Michael Manley, who like trainer Howard had a decent bet on Royal Mail, summed the race up this way.

“There was nothing obviously wrong with the first 1200m as the horse was perfectly positioned given its previous racing style, which included three metropolitan wins in four starts,” Manley said.

“Between the 800-600m Nikolic appeared to have the opportunity to put the horse into the race in a potentially winning position.

“He elected to go back to the fence at which time Nicholas Hall on Bolton circled the field while Nikolic got caught in a pocket.

“By the time they straightened the race was over with Hall and Bolton having flown the coup.

“Royal Mail, after drifting back to fifth, got out and finished strongly enough.

“Could he have beaten Bolton … problematical.

“As a ride, not one of his greatest, around 2/10. I wasn’t surprised the stewards queried the ride.”

Royal Mail (highlighted) starts its run to the line, but had left it too late, finishing third. Picture: Tvn
Source: HWT Image Library

This is the relevant extract from the stewards report on the day: “D.Nikolic (Royal Mail) reported his mount was inclined to lay in after leaving the 400m.

“Shortly after straightening Royal Mail was held up for clear running for a short distance before shifting to the outside near the 250m.”