The career and reputation of Central Districts jockey David Walker is in tatters after he was handed a seven-year ban yesterday.
The Marton-based rider has been the subject of a Racing Integrity Unit (RIU) investigation in recent months resulting in him facing serious betting and riding charges. They were heardby the Judicial Control Authority panel of chairman Murray McKechnie and Noel McCutcheon, who disqualified Walker and imposed costs of $3000.
"Mr Walker's actions threatened the very fabric of New Zealand racing and the strong penalty applied by the JCA panel sends a signal that the industry holds the integrity of racing at the highest priority," RIU general manager Mike Godber said.
"The message is clear: serious breaches such as this case will have severe consequences for those involved. The Walker case serves to illustrate the effectiveness of the RIU's systems of surveillance of racing and betting and its investigation processes. These processes and the penalty imposed will act as a deterrent to anyone contemplating similar actions."
At the hearing at Trentham Racecourse on Thursday Walker pleaded guilty of placing head-to-head bets against his mounts Watch Your Man at Awapuni on August 16 and Lil Mer at Waverley on July 31, but he denied charges of not riding each horse on its merits.
The judicial committee found the 38-year-old jockey guilty of intentionally and deliberately restraining Watch Your Man and that he failed to give his horse every opportunity. The charge relating to his ride on Lil Mer was dismissed.
The committee then adjourned the inquiry until yesterday for sentencing.
Walker has ridden 872 winners with 45 at Group or Listed level since he started riding in the 1991-92 season.
His career highlights include Group One victories in the New Zealand Derby with C'est La Guerre, the New Zealand Oaks aboard Legs and the Levin Classic on Porotene Gem.
Walker's father, Jim, was a successful Central Districts-based jockey for many years and enjoyed a high-profile association with the multiple Group One winner Veandercross. NZ Racing Desk
