News

Cassidy banned after drugs test

3rd Nov 2010

Sydney Morning Herald - Craig Young - Tuesday, 4 November 2010

TALK of jockey Jim Cassidy calling it quits is premature, despite the grand-slam-winning rider being banned for three months yesterday after failing a drugs test.

Cassidy pleaded guilty to a charge relating to a urine sample taken at the Warwick Farm races on October 4 when he returned a positive test to a banned substance, believed to be marijuana.

''No comment, I want a couple of days to think about things,'' Cassidy said yesterday.

The inquiry took place behind doors at the Sydney offices of Racing NSW and it took no longer than 20 minutes after Cassidy pleaded guilty to the charge.

''He acknowledged he had breached the rules and due regard was given to his record and his honesty when issuing a penalty,'' Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy said. ''He was frank and open with stewards, it was his first offence under this charge and if he receives counselling, he gets a month off the penalty.''

When asked why the inquiry was held behind doors, Murrihy said there were ''personal and sensitive matters'' and added ''we don't think racing is going to be assisted by exposing it in public''.

A follow-up drug test cleared Cassidy to continue riding up until yesterday. He rode Once Were Wild in the Melbourne Cup.

Cassidy is free to continue riding trackwork but the jockey is set to use the time off to make a full recovery from ongoing injury issues.

Early this year, Cassidy had a couple of months off to have pins and screws removed from his right ankle. They were inserted following a race fall several years ago. He also had a knee scraped.