Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Top Australian Jockey Oliver Gets 10-Month Ban for Bet on Rival

Australian jockey Damien Oliver was barred from racing for 10 months after he pleaded guilty to two charges involving a bet he made on a rival horse that won a race in which he was riding. 

Oliver, 40, a two-time Melbourne Cup-winning rider, was disqualified for eight months and suspended a further two months after placing the A$10,000 ($10,400) bet via a third party and using a mobile phone in the jockeys’ room prior to the Oct. 1, 2010, race at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, Racing Victoria said after a hearing today. 

“I want to apologize to the racing industry and everyone here today,” Oliver said in a televised statement at Racing Victoria’s Melbourne headquarters. “I’m deeply sorry for my actions.” 

Oliver provided the committee overseeing the investigation with a written admission Nov. 12 that he placed the bet on race favorite and eventual winner Miss Octopussy. Oliver’s horse, Europa Point, finished in sixth place. 

Oliver, who was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2008, has completed the so-called grand slam of thoroughbred racing in the country by winning the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper. 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Tendulkar awarded top Australian honour

Superstar batsman Sachin Tendulkar yesterday became the first Indian sportsman to be honoured with membership of the Order of Australia. 

Arts Minister Simon Crean conferred the award on the cricketer at a ceremony in Mumbai, Tendulkar’s home city, after the honour was announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard during her visit to India last month. 

Tendulkar was recognised “for his service to Australia-India relations by promoting goodwill, friendship and sportsmanship through the sport of cricket,” said a statement from the Australian consulate-general. 

“Mr Tendulkar, as a member and former Captain of the Indian Cricket Team, has made an outstanding contribution to international cricket for more than 20 years,” it said, describing his career as an “inspiration.” 

The 39-year-old batsman is the world’s leading scorer in both Test and one-day cricket and has compiled an unprecedented 100 international centuries. 

West Indies batting star Brian Lara was also honoured with membership of the Order of Australia in 2009.
Two other Indians, former attorney-general Soli Sorabjee and Mother Teresa, have previously been awarded Australian honours. 

Tendulkar’s popularity in the country was cemented when legendary cricketer Don Bradman said he was reminded of his own batting after watching the Indian play. 

Announcing his honour in New Delhi in October, Gillard said Tendulkar deserved the “special honour” because he was a “very special cricketer.” 

“Cricket is of course a great bond between Australia and India. We are both cricket-mad nations,” she said.