The Racing Appeals & Disciplinary (RAD) Board has disqualified jockey Danny Nikolic for a concurrent term of two years with effect from 4 September 2012.The independent three-man panel of Brian Forrest (Chair), Stephen Curtain and Jeremy Rosenthal reached a unanimous decision on penalty after Nikolic was found guilty on 21 September 2012 of breaching Australian Rules of Racing 175(a) and 175A.Nikolic was charged by Racing Victoria (RV) stewards for the breaching the rules which state;Charge

The Racing Appeals & Disciplinary (RAD) Board has disqualified jockey Danny Nikolic for a concurrent term of two years with effect from 4 September 2012.

The independent three-man panel of Brian Forrest (Chair), Stephen Curtain and Jeremy Rosenthal reached a unanimous decision on penalty after Nikolic was found guilty on 21 September 2012 of breaching Australian Rules of Racing 175(a) and 175A.

Nikolic was charged by Racing Victoria (RV) stewards for the breaching the rules which state;

Charge 1 - Breach of AR 175(a)

Any person, who, in their opinion, has been guilty of any dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or dishonourable action or practice in connection with racing.

Charge 2 - Breach of AR 175A

Any person bound by these Rules who either within a racecourse or elsewhere in the opinion of the Committee of any Club or the Stewards has been guilty of conduct prejudicial to the image, or interests, or welfare of racing may be penalised.

The charges relate to the abusive language and threats made by Nikolic towards RV Chairman of Stewards, Terry Bailey, at Seymour Racecourse shortly before the running of Race 6 on 4 September 2012.

After considering submissions tendered this morning, the RAD Board handed down the following penalties;

Charge 1 - 2 year disqualification

Charge 2 - 1 year disqualification

The RAD Board determined that both periods of disqualification be served concurrently and that they are deemed to have commenced on 4 September 2012 taking into account the period since Nikolic was first stood down.

The RAD Board also ordered that the decision by RV stewards on 4 September 2012 to stand down Nikolic be set aside in lieu of the disqualification.

In handing down the penalty, Chair Brian Forrest stated; "Disqualification is a drastic penalty but in the Board's opinion no lesser penalty is appropriate in the circumstances."

Click here to view the RAD Board's reasons for decision on penalty

RV Chief Executive, Rob Hines, made the following statement in response to today's matter; "We respect the decision of the independent RAD Board. As the matter may be subject to appeal we won't comment further on the specifics of the case at this time."

Should Nikolic wish to appeal, he has 28 days in which to do so with the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

www.racingvictoria.net.au