Damien Oliver to fight 20-meeting suspension for reckless riding on Flying Artie in Blue Sapphire Stakes

APPEAL DATE SET: A RECKLESS riding charge from Wednesday’s Caulfield meeting threatens to skittle Damien Oliver’s spring.

A RECKLESS riding charge from Wednesday’s Caulfield meeting threatens to skittle Damien Oliver’s spring.

The champion jockey became just the second Victorian in a decade to be found guilty of reckless riding, which occurred aboard eventual winner Flying Artie in the day’s feature, the Blue Sapphire Stakes.

Oliver will appeal a 20-meeting suspension that will cost him the ride on top fancy Vadamos in the Cox Plate on Saturday week at 10am on Friday.

Damien Oliver cops 20-meeting suspension for reckless riding aboard Flying Artie at Caulfield on Wednesday. https://t.co/labrxnnjQv pic.twitter.com/gftpXY3sjQ

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 12, 2016

Vadamos is an $18 chance in the weight-for-age championship.

Oliver would not return until Melbourne Cup day, November 1, ruling him out of Australia’s premier race-day, Derby Day at which he would have been one of the most sought after riders in races worth a total of over $10 million.

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The suspension begins Saturday night, meaning Oliver will be able to ride at Saturday’s Caulfield Cup meeting, at which he rides former European Exospheric in the $3 million Cup. Exospheric is a $12 chance and is trained by Lee and Anthony Freedman.

RAD BOARD: Appeal by jockey Damien Oliver against a reckless riding charge & severity of the penalty will be heard at 10am on Fri, 14 Oct

— Racing Victoria (@RacingInsider) October 13, 2016

Oliver was adamant he was not guilty of reckless riding aboard Flying Artie, who shifted out abruptly at the 600m and bumped second favourite Ken’s Dream, ridden by Dean Yendall.

“I won’t be pleading guilty to reckless riding, that’s for sure,’’ Oliver said.

Damien Oliver will miss the ride on Vadamos in the Cox Plate on Saturday week. Picture: Mark Stewart

Oliver said he had not even been questioned regarding reckless riding — let alone charged or suspended — in a 30-year career.

“I’m sure it was not reckless. Dean Yendall was never near heels and never in danger.’’

RV chief steward Terry Bailey said Oliver showed a “clear intention’’ in coming out sharply onto Ken’s Dream.

“Your actions passing the 700m showed a clear sign of intent to come out and your actions are in our view reckless, outing the safety of both Dean Yendall and Ken’s Dream at high risk,’’ Bailey said.

Oliver said he had an obligation aboard the $2 favourite to attempt to push off the fence.

“I’m stuck on the fence behind stablemates on a short-priced favourite, you and the punters would be asking “what are you doing?’’ he said.