Leading jockey Danny Nikolic has denied charges of improper practice and conduct prejudicial to racing when he appeared before Victoria's Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board in Melbourne today.

Nikolic pleaded guilty to five of charges brought against him by Racing Victoria stewards but pleaded not guilty to two charges of improper practice and two of conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing, breaches that carry heavy penalties.

Nikolic pleaded guilty to behaving in an abusive and insulting manner to stewards and to four charges of leaving the jockeys room during race meetings without permission during which time he used his mobile phone to make contact with various people.

It has been alleged by stewards that Nikolic contacted punters who subsequently laid bets against his horses winning on betting exchange Betfair.

Paul Holdenson, QC, appearing for the stewards, named the punters as Neville Clements, Alessandro Alaimo and Kevin McFarland.

Holdenson said all three punters exceeded their usual betting patterns to lay Nikolic's mounts to lose. He said in all cases the horses were beaten.

However Holdenson agreed with RAD Board chairman Judge Russell Lewis that the stewards case was "circumstantial".

The case is without precedent in Australia as it has stemmed from betting reports received from betting exchange Betfair and the capacity for punters to lay horses to lose on the betting exchange.

Holdenson said 21 of Nikolic's rides came under investigation and 11 were deemed to be “questionable” by stewards.

racing and sports