Danny Nikolic gave Hayson girlfriend’s betting account
Disgraced jockey Danny Nikolic has admitted allowing former Sydney brothel owner Eddie Hayson to use his girlfriend’s betting account, while defending the colourful racing identity at the centre of an NRL match-fixing investigation.
Nikolic yesterday gave sworn evidence about his close relationship with Mr Hayson after barristers for Racing Victoria raised it as an indicator of bad character warranting Nikolic’s continued riding ban.
NSW police, working with the NSW Crime Commission, have formed a strikeforce to probe match-fixing allegations surrounding three NRL games involving Manly during the past two years. Mr Hayson has denied the allegations and said he never exerted leverage over NRL players who he said were provided with free sex at his establishment.
Nikolic yesterday told the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal he had provided Mr Hayson with a PIN to access the betting account of Nikolic’s partner, Tania Hyett, but denied Mr Hayson was trying to “disguise” his identity from authorities.
The Caulfield Cup-winning jockey said Mr Hayson had used the account only once or twice, betting about $10,000, which he had earlier deposited as money owed to Nikolic. Nikolic denied betting $100,000 on a 2015 NRL match on his friend’s behalf or betting on two other games.
Tribunal deputy president Heather Lambrick refused Racing Victoria’s bid to have Nikolic’s subpoenaed financial records examined for further links to Mr Hayson, after barrister Jeff Gleeson QC said Nikolic’s version needed to be tested.
“The man is an admitted perjurer,” Mr Gleeson said, arguing it was relevant for the tribunal to hear whether Nikolic had been involved in “surreptitious large-scale betting” with Mr Hayson.
Nikolic told the tribunal he was a regular gambler, betting hundreds of thousands of dollars on AFL, NRL and tennis over the past few years, but had never bet on horse racing even while he was disqualified.
The jockey is seeking the return of his licence, which was suspended in 2012 after he allegedly threatened Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey at a race meeting.
Nikolic has admitted lying about swearing at Mr Bailey in evidence to a disciplinary hearing and appeal, saying he had been a “smart-arse” but was now a “better person” after receiving psychological counselling and would try to stay away from Mr Bailey. He has denied threatening Mr Bailey with words including: “We’ve all got families, c..t. We know where your’s lives.”
Shots were fired at Mr Bailey’s Melbourne home last October as he relaxed with his wife and teenage daughters in the backyard.
Nikolic has denied any involvement, telling the tribunal yesterday that he didn’t want to race in Victoria again “until Terry Bailey moves on or retires”.
“I won’t get a fair go,” he said.
“I know that he has perjured himself.”
The jockey has spent two days in the witness box testifying about his history of criminal charges and convictions, violent outbursts and altercations with stewards.
Mr Hayson is not among the remaining witnesses, a list that includes a taxi driver who Nikolic assaulted in 2013 and fellow jockey Mark Zahra. Nikolic has denied offering Zahra a bribe in a 2011 race involving Smoking Aces, ridden by Nikolic.
The hearing continues.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...t/news-story/2692ab542ea1001c8695627dd4026469
