Outlook positive for top jockey

Lisa Cropp

Lisa Cropp's future in racing seems assured irrespective of the outcome of a hearing into a positive test she returned for the class A banned drug methamphetamine.

Cropp, 33, who reached the pinnacle as a jockey last weekend in winning the premiership and breaking the record for wins in a season, faces a maximum ban of 12 months and a fine of up to $10,000 if methamphetamine charges against her are proved.

But Waikato thoroughbred trainer Paul Moroney believes Cropp will still be sought by trainers and owners once any ban is served.

There would be a taint but the racing industry had "its share of rogues and vagabonds" and people who had come back from problems, said Moroney, who regularly hires Cropp.

"It would be a black mark but people are looking for the best jockey to get the job done and there is no doubting Lisa is highly qualified in that respect."

Moroney said the impact on how Cropp's integrity was perceived may be the worst aspect and he did not believe the alleged misuse of drugs had made her a better jockey.

"Her riding has been world-class for a number of years. That won't be diminished by a black mark, if she's had a social drug problem."

It also seems unlikely the police would pursue the jockey.

A CIB source said although the presence of methamphetamine in her urine may amount to a reasonable cause to suspect she may have possessed the drug and thereby be sufficient to arrest her, it would likely be considered too low a priority to warrant the work required. "It's not the crime of the century," the source said.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has alleged Cropp tried to evade testing and had attempted to taint her sample with what appeared to be hair and straw.

At the Judicial Control Authority hearing yesterday, Cropp's lawyer, Barry Hart, challenged the contamination allegation and the process by which the sample was taken.

Nurse Deborah Palmer said the jockey had tried to remove the debris with her finger when it was pointed out to her and said it came from the stocking she wore under her riding pants.

Cropp's sample was 28ml, less than the 30ml required to be separated into A and B samples.

Ms Palmer said she told Cropp she could return later in the day to give another sample but the jockey had intimated she was happy with the sample she gave.

Mr Hart said Cropp disputed this.