Staeck has chance to right wrongs
Stewards have given Daniel Staeck the chance to be back riding at the multi-million dollar Ascot carnival later this year if the leading jockey can clean-up his drug habit.
Chief steward Brad Lewis told Staeck his behaviour was reckless, he had shown disregard for the rules and jeopardised the safety of himself and fellow riders when he disqualified the Group 1-winning jockey from riding for nine months.
Lewis said stewards had found no precedent to his case, where he had pleaded guilty to providing a urine sample containing three prohibited drugs.
Tests by the WA ChemCentre detected amphetamine, methamphetamine and cannabis, as well as benzodiazepines, a drug commonly used in sleeping tablets, in a March 19 sample.
Lewis did give Staeck an opportunity to resurrect his career, offering him the incentive to resume riding trackwork after only 2½ months if he showed stewards he was drug-free.
If Staeck continued to provide stewards with clean samples, he would be allowed to resume riding in trials after six months.
A further compliance to their instructions would see the 34-year-old back race riding on October 31. Stewards backdated Staeck's ban until March 30 when he was stood down from riding.
"Yours was reckless behaviour," Lewis said.
"You showed disregard for the rules, the safety of yourself and fellow riders in trials and races.
"You chose to keep secret your problem from the stewards when you had the opportunity of disclosing it to them.
"We do take into regard you sought advice from Mr (Fred) Kersley and took positive action by seeking counselling.
"In your favour you have recognised your problem and are addressing it."
Lewis warned Staeck any failure to comply with the stewards' instructions meant he would serve the full nine months.
Dr Peter Cummins, Racing and Wagering WA's medical advisor, said each drug found in Staeck's urine affected a person's balance, reaction time, decision making and hand-to-eye co-ordination.
Yours was reckless behaviour."Brad Lewis
