Leading WA country jockey Jessica Gray cops ban after second Broome Cup drug bombshell

Leading WA country jockey Jessica Gray has copped a shock six-month national race riding ban in the iconic $100,000 Broome Cup’s second drugs test bombshell. Stewards have revealed Gray, 28, was positive to prohibited substances when she rode in the 2200m cup and four other events at Broome on August 24. A Kimberley gallops carnival scandal erupted when stipes announced last week that illegal drug lignocaine was detected in brilliant Broome Cup winner Vevinsky’s post-race swab. The galloper’s trainer Kelvin Moore, 62, has been ordered to an inquiry on November 6. Gray’s positive reading has rocked state racing after her dominance at the North-West winter racing circuit, where she rode more than 30 winners. The Carnarvon, Roebourne, Junction and Marble Bar cups were won by Gray on Gambler’s Gold, Awesome Chatter, La Cartier and Prince Tikea, respectively. The hoop landed four-win hauls at Broome on July 13 and Derby a week later. But her only placing on Broome Cup day was a minor race third aboard Red Rebel, and she finished last of 13 with Our Norman in the cup. In a statement which stunned many race fans, stewards said Gray pleaded guilty to having tested positive to banned substances on August 24 and was suspended from October 1. “If Ms Gray returns clear samples and attends counselling, she will be permitted to work as a stable employee from November 1,” stipes said. “At gradual intervals, consideration will be given to approval of her riding trackwork, and later taking barrier trial mounts.” After deciding whether Gray has satisfactorily met all her penalty conditions, stewards plan to assess whether she can resume race riding before her suspension expires in April. Gray, who has has ridden 153 winners in her career, was contacted for comment. Controversy clouded the Broome Cup carnival from its opening on August 20, when beaten race three favourite The Chief Justice’s connections were angered by rival jockey Kristo Sardelic’s tactics. Sardelic, four days ahead of booting Vevinsky to his cup victory, rode hard on Yankee Lima ($11), outside leader The Chief Justice ($2.20) in early and middle stages. The Chief Justice had his stamina weakened by Yankee Lima’s sustained challenge and tired to finish fourth. Yankee Lima dropped out and ran last of six, more than 10 lengths behind winner Money For Old Rope, who firmed from $8 to $3.20. Perth barrister Tom Percy KC, managing owner of The Chief Justice, fired in a complaint on Sardelic’s tactics to Racing WA integrity chief Denis Borovica. Stewards, after a four-week probe, did not find malpractice, but said Sardelic had erred in his judgment. He was instructed to undertake race tactics tuition. Percy was satisfied with the investigation’s outcome, but said he doubted if his horses would again race at Broome.