Star Melbourne jockey Brett Prebble has drink driving charge dropped

A star hoop who faced a serious drink-driving charge has done a Chautauqua to secure a dramatic come from the clouds court win.

Brett Prebble returns to the mounting yard aboard Incentivise after winning the 2021 Caulfield Cup.

A top Melbourne jockey who police alleged blew more than three times the limit has secured a court victory after police withdrew all charges.

Gun hoop Brett Prebble, who won multiple Group 1s last spring including the Caulfield Cup, was pulled over by police while driving in Ascot Vale in January 2020.

The Group 1 gun was breathalysed and hauled away to Moonee Ponds police station where he allegedly returned a staggering 0.164 blood alcohol reading.

Prebble, 44, engaged the services of a top barrister to appear “under protest” on his behalf at Friday’s hearing.

Kyle McDonald, for Prebble, said his client objected from appearing on the basis the summons was not properly issued and the address it was sent was “not properly ascertained”.

The prosecutor submitted the document Prebble intends to rely on was not the document served by police.

The prosecutor also indicated he would seek to cross-examine Prebble and his instructing solicitor.

Prebble kisses the Caulfield Cup.

Prebble aboard recently retired wonder mare Probabeel.

Magistrate Phillip Goldberg said he was satisfied the document was “properly issued in compliance”.

Magistrate Goldberg said he would allow calling of evidence to demonstrate proper service of the summons.

“What was served is apparently a matter of contention and to determine that would necessitate the person who is said to have been served demonstrate to the court what document was served upon him … that person of course is (Prebble),” Magistrate Goldberg said.

Magistrate Goldberg said McDonald had to leave to call Prebble as a witness after 2pm today.

However, the move was not required with the police prosecutor telling the court the matter had been resolved and all charges were withdrawn.

Prebble is gearing up for the Autumn Carnival following a barnstorming spring where he slept a swag of Group 1s including the Caulfield Cup, Makybe Diva Stakes and Turnbull Stakes aboard Incentivise and the Memsie on South Australian big brute Behemoth.

Prebble rode raging Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise to a bold second behind the world’s top rate mare Verry Elleegant.

Prebble, who has won a host of majors including the 2012 Melbourne Cup on Green Moon and the 2010 Golden Slipper on Crystal Lily, has enjoyed a career renaissance since returning to Australia after a successful Hong Kong stint where he won many major races.

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