Fronting to save career

He has been given a show-cause notice to appear in Sydney on November 13.

The 24-year-old Englishman has been stood down by NSW stewards after allegedly being involved in a racing conspiracy in the UK.

He faces multiple allegations of corruption from the British Horseracing Association, including one of preventing his mount from performing on its merits.

The allegations made headlines around the world because high-profile English soccer players are tied up in the investigation.

Heffernan must return to England in January as the investigation continues.

He has been trying to regain his licence in Australia so he can continue his career in Newcastle, where he has been so successful at country, provincial and city venues.

"The information they have given me is that they believe I lied about race fixing when applying for a licence here," he said.

"The application form says, 'Have you been banned or disqualified from racing?' and I haven't, so I put down, 'No', and that is where the trouble started.

"The officials say I lied, but I haven't been banned. In fact, unlike what the papers all over the world are saying, I haven't been charged.

"It is very frustrating, incredibly so, and all I am hoping here is for what you call a fair go."

■ Newcastle's new star sprinter Hidden Warrior has done "really good" after last week's win at Moonee Valley.

"He is right to back up and there is a bit of rain about in Melbourne, which will help his cause," trainer Paul Perry said.

Hidden Warrior goes from winning at group 3 level to contesting the group 1 Coolmore Stakes up the straight 1200 metres at Flemington tomorrow.

"This is a totally different kettle of fish from last week," Perry said.

"It is much harder, but he deserves his chance.

"He has shown a tendency to wobble around the corners in both Sydney and Melbourne, so up the straight may be his go."

■ The joy that country apprentice Melissa Brown displayed when she scored her first provincial win on Sunday was well founded.

Brown is just resuming riding after a career-threatening injury.

The 25-year-old had a magic moment when she scored on Gentleman Joh in the Kincumber Colts Premiers Handicap (1300m) at Wyong.

The five-year-old is trained by Alan Scorse at Broadmeadow and Brown gave the gelding every chance to win.

For Brown, winning at a provincial meeting was reward for a long and painful fight to be riding again.

She spent 14 months on the sideline after breaking her back in three places in a trackwork accident.

"It was devastating because I thought my desire to be a jockey was gone," Brown said.

"There was nothing I could do but let the injury heal.

"When I was able to work again I decided it was best not to risk riding.

"I tried things like working on a stud farm, being a stable hand, and I then started riding a bit of trackwork.

"All these things got me a bit of money but not the joy I did from riding in races.

"I decided that I knew the risks but that being a jockey was what I wanted so I asked for a chance to start riding again.

"It was fabulous to start riding in races again and I am loving every minute of it.

Scorse said one of his owners had seen Brown ride in the bush and convinced him to give her a chance.

"She did a great job, and to see the look on her face when she won, well, that was priceless," Scorse said.

■ Newcastle Cup winner Glencadam Gold was a real flop in the Caulfield Cup.

But one person expecting a big return to form from the galloper tomorrow is his trainer, Gai Waterhouse.

In an email to NJC officials thanking them for their care on Newcastle Cup day, she gave a big indication that Glencadam Gold would improve next start.

Waterhouse said her stayer had struck a wet patch at the 1000m mark of the Caulfield Cup and that cost him rhythm and momentum.

She also said the horse had recovered from that run and would improve at Flemington, where he is based while in Melbourne.

The message was sent before Glencadam Gold's hoof problems.

■ New Zealand whiz jockey James McDonald is going into tomorrow's Derby at Flemington with confidence.

McDonald was on It's A Dundeel when he suffered a shock defeat at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

McDonald rode a winning treble at Wyong on Sunday and told anyone who would listen that It's A Dundeel would make up for that defeat tomorrow.

When asked how he expected It's A Dundeel would go in the Derby, he simply said: "Will win."

■ Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michael Rodd quickly accepted the chance to ride for Paul Perry next week. He will be on two-year-old Wouldn't It Be Nice in the group 3 Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.

■ Astute Broadmeadow trainer Jason Deamer is having a great run of luck.

To go with winners on consecutive days this week, he is also celebrating becoming engaged.

On Monday at Cessnock he won for the third straight time, with Charzed in the De Bortoli class 3 over 1350m.

On Tuesday at Taree he saluted with Caffeina in the 1000m handicap.

Those victories came after he popped the question to his girlfriend of four years.

"I asked Tania to marry me on her birthday. I got her a ring and that saved me buying her a present," he said with a laugh.

■ From behind the stewards' door . . . Country jockey Glen Lynch has been suspended for Hari Singh's fall at Tamworth, in which he was badly injured.

Stewards suspended Lynch for seven weeks on Tuesday, starting immediately. He withdrew an appeal against the severity of the penalty.

He can resume on Tuesday, December 18.

Singh looks likely never to ride again and has been going to hospital two days a week for treatment.

■ Finally I would like to say that racing around these parts is not going to be the same after John Curtis leaves the NJC this week.

After protracted negotiations, Curtis accepted a redundancy package following 22 years of loyal service with the club.

John's racing knowledge, experience and the rapport he has with everyone in the industry can never be replaced.