Racing: Industry stands behind Oliver

Victorian jockey Damien Oliver returns to scale aboard Zavite. Photo / Getty Images

The racing industry has closed ranks behind Victorian jockey Damien Oliver who is assisting police investigating a criminal matter unrelated to the sport.

Oliver, who met detectives in Geelong on Monday but has not been charged with any offence, withdrew from his three rides at Sandown yesterday, amid growing speculation about the nature of the police inquiry involving him.

The 38-year-old rider has accepted seven mounts from Hall Of Fame trainers Lee Freedman and David Hayes and four other stables at Moonee Valley tomorrow night.

Oliver's fellow jockeys are refusing to comment on his situation after a briefing from the Victorian Jockeys' Association.

Four-time premier jockey Craig Williams toed the line and offered a "no comment" when asked about Oliver.

"We have been briefed and we can't say anything," Williams said.

Racing Victoria stewards were also silent on the matter.

Robert Cram, who was the acting chief steward at Sandown yesterday, said he had no comment and that the police investigation had to run its course.

However Lee Freedman was more forthcoming in his support of Oliver after an association with the eight-time premier rider dating back 22 years when Oliver joined the stable as an apprentice. He has booked Oliver for key mounts on Censor in the group two Bill Stutt Stakes and Above Average in the group three JRA Cup (2040m). "I am happy to support Damien. I don't even know what the [police] inquiry is about.

"Apart from all the rumour and innuendo as far as I am concerned I don't know any of the facts or the situation."

David Hayes, also unaware of the details of the police inquiry, added his support for Oliver and has engaged him for the ride on Eagle Falls in the Manikato Stakes.

"If he wants to ride the horse I am happy to have him on," Hayes said.

"I am not judging him.

"Knowing the bloke I would be amazed if there was anything in it.

"He is a tough and hard competitor but this will test his resolve."

Oliver's other major race ride tomorrow night is the Robbie Griffiths-trained Spurcific in the Champagne Stakes.

A six-time Scobie Breasley Medallist and Hall Of Fame inductee, Oliver has won 91 group one races including two Melbourne Cups on Doriemus (1995) and Media Puzzle (2002), as well as last season's Auckland Cup on Zavite.

His fairytale win on Media Puzzle, days after the tragic death of his brother Jason in a riding accident, has been made into a film, The Cup, which was shot earlier this year and is due for release early in 2011.

- AAP