MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) A leading Australian jockey currently under suspension for threatening a race steward was found guilty Thursday of assaulting a fellow jockey during an argument over training practices.
Danny Nikolic, who has four career Group One wins, including the prestigious Caulfield Cup in 2003, was charged with attacking Mark Pegus at Caulfield race track in January 2011.
The magistrates court heard Nikolic punched Pegus several times, inflicting a cut lip and black eye. The court was told that Nikolic was angry with Pegus for going over his head and discussing training requirements with the owners of two race horses.
Nikolic, who was also found guilty of unlawfully assaulting a police detective, was fined $1,200 for assaulting Pegus and $300 for the assault on the police officer.