Racing: Cropp disqualification ends

Lisa Cropp would be legally allowed to walk on to a racecourse and ride tomorrow, but for one small matter - $99,500.

The former champion jockey has resisted all attempts to make her pay the $7500 fine and $92,000 in costs awarded against her when she was finally found guilty of riding with methamphetamine in her system at Te Rapa races on May 7, 2005.

NZ Thoroughbred Racing late last year placed her on its unpaid forfeit list, effectively banning her indefinitely from all levels of racing until the fine is paid.

Cropp and her lawyers dragged the drugs case through every legal level and it took just short of four years before she was found guilty.

The costs of $92,000 are estimated to be about half of the actual cost of her case to the racing industry. The original nine-month disqualification she was given ends today.