Mallard takes whip to Cropp

Lisa Cropp

Sports Minister Trevor Mallard has ripped into record-breaking jockey Lisa Cropp in Parliament, accusing her of "cheating" by using methamphetamine.

He made the attack yesterday during the first reading of the Sports Anti-Doping Bill, drafted to update the regime used to control drug use in sport.

Ms Cropp is facing charges before a racing industry body. Also, a High Court challenge over the formation of the committee hearing the case is being filed.

On May 7 her urine was allegedly found to contain amphetamine and methamphetamine after testing by racecourse inspectors at Te Rapa. Performance-enhancing drugs are barred from jockeys mainly for safety.

She faced two alternative charges before NZ Thoroughbred Racing's Judicial Control Authority at a two-week hearing in August: that she tested positive for a controlled drug or that she rode knowing it was in her system. She denies the charges and blames diet pills and antibiotics.

Naming Ms Cropp, Mr Mallard told the House that consistency around testing rules and regulations was needed because "it is becoming very clear that a very senior person in the racing industry has been cheating".

"She has been achieving records when she has been cheating and the authorities have been unable to deal with her.

"It is absolutely unfair that New Zealand records are broken by someone who at the time was using methamphetamine. That is wrong and it has to stop."

Neither Ms Cropp nor her lawyer, Barry Hart, could be contacted for comment yesterday.

Authority chairman John Grant said the matter was still part-heard and it was also now subject to proceedings before the High Court.

"So it's very much a matter that is sub judice," he said.

Asked if he thought Mr Mallard's comments were improper, Mr Grant refused to comment.

He said the authority was a statutory body established under the Racing Act whose functions included appointing a panel from which judicial committees were drawn to hear charges brought by NZ Thoroughbred Racing or Harness Racing NZ.

This month Mr Hart indicated he would apply to the High Court for a judicial review.

Mr Grant said the review related to the process used to form the judicial committee.

In the past racing season Ms Cropp became the first woman to win the jockeys' premiership when she rode 197 winners to create a record for the most number of wins in season.

Mr Mallard also said in his speech that the bill would allow for public notification of names of athletes who committed doping violations after the processes had been completed.

"There has been a tendency on the part of some sports to try to hush up some things in this area. The naming and shaming approach is important."