Untimely Suspension For Hamblin
- Tuesday, 06 April 2010 05:12
Jumps jockey Paul Hamblin will miss the start of the Victorian jumps racing season after failing a breath test at Oakbank on Monday.
Hamblin was booked to ride the ill-fated Marc Of Thunder in the $100,000 Yalumba Classic Hurdle (3600m) and Enclosed in the $166,000 Scott Group Of Companies Great Eastern Steeplechase (4950m).
On being requested to provide a routine breath sample prior to the first race, Hamblin provided a sample which exceeded the .02% blood alcohol limit permitted for jockeys.
Hamblin provided several samples after the initial test which continued to be above the allowed threshold limit.
As a result, Hamblin was stood down from his commitments for the remainder of the day and was replaced by Kosuke Kawakami and Gavin Bedggood.
Hamblin pleaded guilty to the subsequent charge of providing a sample with a banned substance but claimed he had merely had social drinks the previous evening and was “shocked by the outcome”.
He was suspended for 27 days and was fined $500 but TRSA stewards also gave concessions for Hamblin to ride in trackwork and official barrier trials in the lead-up to the Warrnambool Carnival.
Hamblin, who will commence his suspension tomorrow after riding at Warrnambool in a couple of highweight races earlier today, will be able to return to competitive riding on the first day of the Warrnambool Carnival on May 4.
The Victorian jumps racing season is due to commence at Hamilton on April 17.
