'Suspicion' is not enough says the judge as Nikolic cleared

The key point that emerges from the Danny Nikolic case is this: Stewards should not lay charges on 'suspicion' alone and expect to get a conviction. That's what the Appeal Board says they did when they tried to smash Nikolic's riding career. The board found that the evidence relied upon by stewards as a basis for drawing an inference that Nikolic ''communicated'' the chances of his mounts raised suspicion about what transpired but having suspicions about Nikolic's conduct was not sufficient to p

The key point that emerges from the Danny Nikolic case is this: Stewards should not lay charges on 'suspicion' alone and expect to get a conviction. That's what the Appeal Board says they did when they tried to smash Nikolic's riding career. The board found that the evidence relied upon by stewards as a basis for drawing an inference that Nikolic ''communicated'' the chances of his mounts raised suspicion about what transpired but having suspicions about Nikolic's conduct was not sufficient to prove the charges.

What now for Danny Nikolic? He'll continue riding but, cleared or not, there's a stain hanging over his image that may never be erased. This is the problem when officials bring circumstantial cases. Even when the defendant is cleared, so much 'mud' has been thrown that many people will continue to believe the worst. Hopefully, there will be no appeal. The case has already costs the jockey close to a 6-figure sum in legal fees - all to prove his innocence. Maybe Racing Victoria should offer to pay some of these legal costs?