Apprentice suspended for gambling

Emerging Queensland apprentice Baylee Nothdurft has been suspended for three months after admitting betting on thoroughbred races over a three-month period.

Queensland stewards will revisit his case after two months and decide whether to reduce the penalty if Nothdurft can show he has undertaken counselling for gambling.

As it stands Nothdurft, who is the leading apprentice on the Darling Downs, can’t resume riding until September 21.

At an inquiry in Brisbane on Wednesday, stewards found the 18-year-old placed a series of bets between April and June on a TAB account.

Chief steward Allan Reardon said the panel was satisfied Nothdurft had not bet on any race in which he rode.

Jockeys are not permitted to bet on races and stewards across Australia have clamped down on it in the past few years.

Nothdurft apologised and told the inquiry the bets had been placed while he was at home when he was between changing stables and was bored..

Reardon said Nothdurft’s charge was brought under a different section of racing rules from the case of Sydney jockey James McDonald who is serving an 18-month disqualification.

McDonald was charged with backing his own mount Astern to win a race in December 2015.

“We were satisfied Nothdurft has not placed any bets on races in which he rode and it is different to some other cases. But a suspension is warranted,” Reardon said.