A racing judicial committee has found a jockey guilty of betting on a rival horse and then deliberately riding to ensure his bets were successful.
David Walker giving evidence at the Thoroughbred Racing Tribunal Photo: RNZ / Paloma Migone
The committee found David Walker deliberately restrained the horse Watch Your Man at Awapuni on 16 August, after placing a bet it would finish behind St Ranson.
However, the committee dismissed a charge of illegal racing against Walker for a race on 31 July in Waverley.
Committee chair Murray McKechnie said although it had suspicions over the July race, there was not enough evidence.
David Walker in 2013. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
However, Walker had been found guilty on the charge of betting on that race.
The committee will discuss what measures to take against the jockey, tomorrow.
He volunteered to surrender his riding licence today but that was not accepted.
Walker could be banned for life and face a penalty of up to $50,000.
He had admitted laying bets but denied deliberately riding the horses badly.
Videos shown to support case
The Racing Integrity Unit showed videos of the races, at Waverley and Awapuni, to support its case.
They said the videos showed Walker had restrained both horses, Watch Your Man and Lil Mer, to pocket a total of $1150 in winning bets.
Walker had told the tribunal, in the case of Watch Your Man, the horse was difficult to ride and he had suffered a cramp in his right hand during the race.
He had said Lil Mer had a virus and was racing with blinkers for the first time.
