Inquiry into jockey’s failed drug test

Champion jockey Lisa Cropp faces an inquiry into a failed drug test which may jeopardise her dream of winning the jockey premiership and breaking Lance O'Sullivan's record for most wins in a season.

But Cropp yesterday said the situation arose through becoming ill from fasting to make racing weight and had nothing to do with drugs.

Cropp has subsequently given another sample which was found to be clear. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has reinstated her licence, which it withdrew on Thursday, and she can resume racing.

But the failed test is being investigated by NZTR. It arose from a urine sample she gave last weekend at the Te Rapa meeting where she was one of 17 jockeys tested.

Cropp, 34, was told of a drug test "irregularity" on Thursday after she arrived at the Hawera races where she was booked for five rides. Her licence was withdrawn, preventing her riding.

The investigation would involve the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) attempting to pinpoint the substance which caused her to fail the test, said NZTR deputy chief executive Simon Cooper.

"If, and I have to stress if, we ever got to the stage where she was charged ... the maximum would be eight months disqualification and the minimum would be about three months."

If a charge was laid it would come under what the industry terms "a serious racing offence".

Mr Cooper said jockeys were sent with their licences each year a notice called the jockey's testing programme which reminds them that they must ride "without the influence of illicit drugs, in bold lettering underlined".

Cropp yesterday said the removal of her licence had nothing to do with drugs.

"No, no nothing like that, it's just medical. I was real crook at the races. There's no suggestion of that."

She indicated she had overdone her fasting to reach racing weight.

Even a minimum ban would be a disaster for the irrepressible Cropp, who has made a remarkable comeback after breaking her neck in a fall in Macau in 2001.

She leads the jockey premiership with 151 winners, 40 more than second-placed Hayden Tinsley, and has a chance of breaking O'Sullivan's record of 190 before the season finishes on July 31.

Cropp made her return after three years in typical style, nursing her mount through muddy conditions to win a low-level race at Pukekohe last July. She's since won another 150 races, pushing her career tally close to 900.