Darwin jockey Paul Shiers receives two month suspension and $1000 fine

A JOCKEY has received a suspension from racing for two months and was fined $1000 after returning a positive breath test at the Darwin Cup Carnival.

Darwin Cup, Guineas.Paul Shiers brings Gravitational back to scale after taking out the Darwin Guineas.

A JOCKEY has received a suspension from racing for two months and was fined $1000 after returning a positive breath test at the Darwin Cup Carnival on Monday.

Paul Shiers had enjoyed plenty of success at Darwin Cup in the past, but was banned from fulfilling his six rides when he returned a positive breath test upon arriving at Fannie Bay.

Darwin Turf Club stewards tested all jockeys when they arrived at the track and an element of shock engulfed the track when it was confirmed that Shiers could not ride.

Shiers exceeded the 0.02 limit after providing two samples for stewards.

The first test took place at 11.22am — 48 minutes before the first race on the program.

It proved positive before Shiers had another test, which was taken 10 minutes later. When that too proved positive, the jockey was immediately stood down and subsequently charged.