KEY POINTS:
Opie Bosson will ride Princess Coup in the A$3 million ($3.38 million) Cox Plate on Saturday week, despite facing serious racing drug charges.
That looked the likely scenario after Bosson was yesterday charged with two counts, one of which was a serious racing offence which carries a maximum penalty of disqualification for life and a fine of $25,000.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing yesterday laid charges against Bosson and fellow rider Bruce Herd relating to the random drugs testing of jockeys at Te Rapa races on Friday, October 3.
NZTR would not publicly comment last night, but it is understood Bosson is not being charged with being involved in taking drugs himself.
It is believed he is being charged with supplying a urine test that was eventually portrayed as being for someone else.
Herd is also facing the serious racing charges.
Racecourse inspector John McKenzie said yesterday that he could not comment as the case was now subjudice.
McKenzie said both Bosson and Herd had been fully co-operative with inspectors.
He said the two riders had not been charged with anything similar over their long careers.
Bosson has won 842 races in a New Zealand career stretching over more than 13 years. His mounts have won $15,957,708 in prizemoney.
He has won more than 20 group one races in New Zealand and Australia and at present leads the jockeys premiership.
Herd has won 1024 races in his New Zealand career, and his mounts have won $12,615,109. He has won nine group one races.
NZTR spokesman Simon Cooper said the jockeys could potentially face disqualification for life under the rules of racing.
In a similar case, former jumps jockey Wayne Hillis was disqualified for a year in 2002 after submitting a urine sample from another rider, whom he would not name.
Understandably, the story has created massive press in Australia, where speculation has been that Bosson would not be riding Princess Coup in the Cox Plate.
The darling of the NZ turf is the $3.80 joint favourite with Weekend Hussler for the famous Moonee Valley event.
"The charges won't be heard in the next two weeks," said David Ellis, who employs Bosson as No 1 rider for Te Akau Racing Stables.
Ellis said Te Akau's commitment to Bosson would not change as a result of the charge.
"What Opie has done is a spur of the moment thing that was meant to try and help a friend," he said.
"In some ways that is a commendable thing, but in another it was an absolutely stupid thing.
"No one condones what Opie has done, but we know Opie well.
"He's not into drugs and he sets high standards for himself and those around him.
"We'll be supporting Opie right through this and beyond. He started with us when he was 14 and he's been our No 1 jockey since he started riding at the top level.
Ellis said high-profile Melbourne jockey Craig Newitt had already been engaged for a number of Te Akau horses in New Zealand over the summer period.
"Craig will be riding for us in the next three months.
"He's engaged for both the last two days at Riccarton and for any rides under 54.5kg that our No 2 jockey Troy Harris can't ride."
Herd will be permitted to ride until the charges are heard after providing a clear urine sample.
It is understood he has supplied a sample, the results of which are yet to be determined.
- NZPA
