Defiant jockey Danny Nikolic declares: I'll be back from ban

PUNTERS have definitely not seen the last of Danny Nikolic, with the disgraced jockey vowing yesterday: "I'll be back."

Tommy Berry (right) suffers interference on Glencadam Gold in the first lap of the Caulfield Cup. Picture: Getty Images

PUNTERS have definitely not seen the last of Danny Nikolic, with the disgraced jockey vowing yesterday: "I'll be back."

Nikolic has forever been in the headlines in recent years for continual run-ins with officials down south.

This week he was banned until the end of September 2015 and slugged $10,000 by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.

Nikolic pleaded guilty to two counts of improper conduct towards steward Wade Hadley during a hearing last year. The hearing was dealing with Nikolic's behaviour towards another steward, Terry Bailey.

Nikolic, 38, told At The Track yesterday it was his intention to return to the saddle.

"I'll be coming back, it is a long time, but it is what it is," Nikolic said.

"It's what I do. I've got plenty of time on my hands now, I've got a few things lined up, but I'll keep that private. I'll be back, I'll leave it at that."

BERRY GETS SHAFTED

TOMMY Berry is one jockey entitled to be a little filthy about missing out on the Cox Plate ride on Fiorente.

After all, Berry is trainer Gai Waterhouse's No. 1 rider. He rode Fiorente in his only start in the autumn, and turned his back on returning to Hong Kong for the chance to ride Waterhouse's horses in the big races.

After Nash Rawiller was punted from Fiorente, then replacement rider Damien Oliver suspended, Waterhouse went with Blake Shinn, not Berry.

"I was disappointed, but like last year, I'll cop it on the chin, and usually when things like this happen, I ended up being rewarded," Berry told us.

"The owners wanted a jockey who had ridden in Melbourne, that was there reason. But it is always disappointing to miss out on rides like that."

While we feel sorry for Berry, we're also delighted for Shinn to get his chance to steer Fiorente.

This bloke has worked his butt off the past year to get back in the winner's circle on a regular basis. He's hardly a bolter for the Fiorente gig given he's been riding work for Waterhouse since April last year.

Not only does Fiorente await Shinn at the Valley, but so does one of his favourite horses, Toydini, who tackles the Waterford Crystal Mile, and Drago in the AAMI Vase (2040m).

Tommy Berry (right) suffers interference on Glencadam Gold in the first lap of the Caulfield Cup. Picture: Getty Images

STILL NO JOYOUS

NO NO no no no. The More Joyous affair is set to continue. Seriously.

After losing her appeal over the $7000 worth of fines for not reporting the condition of More Joyous prior to her defeats in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes and All Aged Stakes back in the autumn, trainer Gai Waterhouse will take her fight to the Racing Appeals Tribunal.

Waterhouse is determined to have her name cleared, no matter the cost. Just ask her lawyers who have had an absolute fill-up. Should this appeal fail, what are the odds Waterhouse will go all the way to the Supreme Court.

ACHILLES HEAL

ONE OF the part-owners of Alpha Miss broke down with injury while cheering the filly to victory in the opening race at Randwick yesterday.

Dean Ponting hobbled around the winner's circle as Alpha Miss returned to scale, and said he got way too excited.

"I was jumping for joy and thought my heel had come off the shoe, but I think it's my Achilles'," Ponting said.

"I did a few injuries when I used to play league. I played for Ipswich when Tommy Raudonikis was coach. Alpha Miss is just like him. She just keeps going."

Ponting admitted he only told his missus he'd purchased a share in Alpha Miss two days before her debut win.

"And luckily she won because she (Maria) told me I was out if the horse didn't win," Ponting said.

NICK'S MALUCKYDAY

NICK Moraitis had good reason for skipping the trip to Caulfield to watch Arabian Gold get the cash in the Listed Ethereal Stakes (2000m).

Relax, big Nick's health is sweet.

Moraitis opted to head to Randwick to watch old favourite Maluckyday resume in the City Tattersalls Club Handicap (1400m).

"I wanted to see him go around. I hope he gets to the line OK," Moraitis said of his 2010 Melbourne Cup runner-up.

"I'm hoping it could be the start of something wonderful again."

Moraitis said he had no input when it came to race programs. He's happy to leave that to trainers. Joe Pride can decide where Maluckyday goes. Likewise David Vandyke with Arabian Gold.

"It's a different story if you want to ask me about `potatoes and onions'," Moraitis said.

TROPICAL EXPOSURE

TRAINER Noel Mayfield-Smith did his best for Queensland tourism yesterday after he banged on about the advantages of the warm winters up north.

After Famous Seamus got the cash in the Listed City Tattersalls Lightning Handicap (1100m), Mayfield-Smith said both trainer and horse thrived under the sun.

We deadset nearly called security when Mayfield-Smith kept spruiking the banana state.

"I spent five weeks up there and I feel rejuvenated. I even look younger," said Mayfield-Smith, a former Queenslander who did in fact look pretty chilled.

"It's how it is. When Famous Seamus won the Hinkler (Quality), he weighed 510kg, and when he ran in the Stradbroke (seven weeks later) he weighed 528kg and never blew a candle out."

The heaving crowd at Royal Randwick for the last day of the spring carnival. Picture: Mark Evans

ROYAL TURNOUT

BRILLIANT sunshine ensured 16,026 fans made Royal Randwick the place to be in Sydney yesterday. It was a cool crowd. The single folk would have lapped it up.

SECOND CUMMINGS

EDWARD Cummings must be tempted to tell his old man to remain in Melbourne a bit more often.

The Cummings pair racked up a winning treble at Randwick yesterday, with 27-year-old Edward clearly more than capable of holding the Sydney fort on his own while dad Anthony's in Melbourne.

Edward was on hand to watch Best Case, Strike The Stars and Diamond Earth win, with the latter his best bet of the day.

One of the stable's pin-ups, Fiveandahalfstar, was back in light work before he was turned out at the start of last week.

BLUE DECISION

TRES Blue has touched down in Australia, but a decision on his jockey might not happen until next weekend. Up to half a dozen hoops are in the mix for the Cup ride, including Tim Clark.

We were spot on a few weeks ago when we told you Craig Williams would pilot Mount Athos.

PUNTERS CASH IN

THE TAB'S Glenn Munsie might have to miss at least one long lunch this week after punters got the cash yesterday. The TAB paid out more than $800,000 on Red Tracer when she won the Tristarc Stakes, and more than $835,000 when Boban stormed to victory in the Moonga Stakes.

VEGAS LESSONS

THERE were three things I learned during my recent trip to Las Vegas.

Firstly, they don't sell Tooheys Old in America. I clap a lot when I dance. And you can lose money a lot quicker when playing black jack than you can backing horses.