Australian riders face long bans

Two of Australia's leading jockeys have been banned by the Australian Jockey Club (AJC) after a police investigation into race-fixing. The Sydney- based jockey Jim Cassidy has been banned from riding for three years and Kevin Moses for one year. Cassidy immediately lodged an appeal after leaving yesterday's disciplinary meeting.

Cassidy was charged by the AJC under the rule covering dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent or improper practice, or dishonourable action towards racing.

Emerging from the meeting, Moses said he had been banned for breaking an AJC rule against jockeys betting, or advising people to bet, on their mounts.

"I agree I have broken a couple of rules, certainly not the ones the media have been playing up," he said. "I am getting older and it's probably finished my career."

Police said last Friday that they were investigating a major horse race- fixing operation involving an alleged drug boss and 10 jockeys.