Suspended jockey Danny Nikolic has been linked to a Racing Victoria investigation into a horse being heavily wagered to lose a race in country Victoria.
Fairfax Media understands that Nikolic, who is suspended for threatening a steward during an appeal hearing, remains a person of interest in the probe into the race at Echuca.
It is understood that more than $260,000 was wagered on the Echuca event on third-favourite Baron Archer, who finished third in a field of five runners.
In comparison to the $260,000 wagered with betting exchange Betfair, the main race only held $160,000.
Fellow jockey Ben Melham and trainer Jason Warren are assisting with the investigation over the abnormal patterns of betting on the race. More evidence is expected to be taken from Melham and Warren over the events of March 8.
Another licensed Caulfield person is also a person of interest to Racing Victoria investigators. Betfair wagers must be matched dollar-for-dollar but it was indeed a huge windfall for the punter.
Stewards became wary of the Baron Archer affair following the sudden spike in wagers on the horse to lose.
Racing Victoria investigators attempt to monitor all corporate bookmakers, TAB and Betfair movements. Racing Victoria's chief steward Terry Bailey said on Monday that the Baron Archer inquiry was an ongoing investigation.
The other aggravating circumstance in the case was that trainer Warren had failed to notify stewards that the horse had undergone throat surgery before resuming at Echuca.
