Murray Fish

sigh....

Top Waikato jockey Matthew Cameron suspended for cocaine Jo Lines-MacKenzie August 20, 2024 • 01:01pm Share Matthew Cameron has been suspended from riding for nine months (file photo) TRISH DUNELL / The Press Waikato jockey Matthew Cameron has been forced to hang up the saddle for nine months after testing positive for cocaine. The 37-year-old claims he didn’t realise his non-alcoholic drink at a Cambridge gathering had the Class A drug in it - though he was aware some people were putting“caps” into their drinks. In a decision released by the Racing Integrity Board, it’s stated Cameron had ridden in several races at Racing Rotorua club meeting at Arawa Park on July 3, 2024. He was one of 20 jockeys selected for drug screening that day. Cameron supplied a urine sample which upon analysis was positive to benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. On July 11, a Racing Integrity Board investigator advised Cameron of the result. Cameron “adamantly denied snorting cocaine”, but he admitted to having been at a friend’s address in Cambridge on the evening of June 29, where he was aware of drug use. Matthew Cameron was convicted of indecent assault on a man in 2021. Mark Taylor / Waikato Times Cameron has no previous judicial history involving controlled drugs. He has two other historic offences, one making a false statement and falsifying documentation in 2007, resulting in a 6-month disqualification. And he had his riding licence revoked after being convicted of an indecent assault in 2021. On the cocaine allegation, Cameron told the investigator the female host told the drink that might have cocaine in it - after he’d finished drinking it. “I’m pretty sure one of the boys put something in the drink.” Cameon alleges he didn’t think a lot about it at the time and didn’t feel any different. He estimates that he had four to five non-alcoholic beverages before driving home. Cameron said in an email response to the RIB that he was aware that there were drugs at the property but had no intention of consuming any. “I would like to clear up that my drink wasn’t spiked as I see drink spiking a little different to what I have said. “I was aware that people were putting caps of cocaine into there [sic] drinks, and I was unlucky that someone had put one of them into the drink I was drinking not knowing it was mine or intentionally doing it to me.” Cameron was told after he had consumed the drink cocaine had been put in it. “I’m not denying that cocaine was in my system. All I can say is there was no intention to go to this gathering and consume the drug.” Matthew Cameron says he didn’t know cocaine was in a drink he consumed (file photo) Glenn Jeffrey/Fairfax NZ / Glenn Jeffrey The RIB took Cameron’s suggestion of cocaine in his drink to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research scientist in the toxicology team. An unnamed member who has 31 years experience stated she’s never had a case where a person has used cocaine by way of ingestion through drinking. She said cocaine users predominantly snort or inject the substance. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing began drug testing industry participants in 1995. All riders are aware of the policy and the consequences should they not comply, the organisation said. The testing is conducted to maintain a safe and healthy workplace and to maintain the integrity of the industry. Cameron has been disqualified for nine months and ordered to pay the analysis costs of $187.50 to the RIB.

when he drops the polemics and focuses on historical reflection re horses and people...

sigh, joe biden in the building... he visits often now!!!! gee, I recon 20 of my largest bets have been over the Mile at Riccarton! hence, in spite of Everything! the two G1 3 yr races have Still kept my Intere$t they do seem to have some strange naming's at times.. not to sure of current logic! I was actually thinking of Joining a Club, to find out that sort of thing! lol! not to sure what club though!

Well worth being on course for! wish I was!

Core Periphery model in Action! Tough if you are on the wrong side of that sort of tide...

Arthur Williams throwing some $$$$ at it? The Levin Class being he other to get to G1 More Pies need to be eaten! Then there could be the Group One Mile Championship at Riccarton, one for each day of the meeting Why can't the Couplands Mile be G1

pardon.. 1000% of a reason to stay! ps. re Tabby, 'born to rule' "go college" ra ra.. happy to throw in plenty of insults! ever quick to label others 'behaviours'.. not to sure how well he would settle in a Public Bar?

I use to practice that.. Now, it$ vulgarly about ground out a Profit year on year! for me: nope... sometime it can be via a nice place bet... or the bet can have a Bonus bet attached Though, it all starts with a horse Catching my Eye! That's the hard part. Another thing I like about a small field is Luck in running is less, those large fields some like funding the Industry on a just Way to Hard! you are welcome to them!

I most properly will not actually be having a actual bet! seeing some of these horses are possible going to be in the Group races coming up, especially the G1's at Riccarton, having said that! as mentioned, smaller field = way more time to see the horses! always Hopeful some Jump$ out and say Bet me!

sigh, back in 80's when I was working 100+ meetings a year! all pre watering - the starting date I have never tracked down - I can hardly recall a meeting me put off? I recall a Awapuni meeting being put off because the major carpark was flooded! I struggle to recall to many others. re Watering, yes, but gee (and with the benefit of hindsight) from a serious punting point of view! waterboarding comes to mind!!! lol, as ever! I live in Hope! Might not bet much! but have Hope of finding a winner

wink wink! At times, one has to be honest in knowing where one fits into that sort of thing! Down here, very closed shop! I'm sure @TAB For Ever could brief you on the 'local Wingatui mafia'

personally, I like both races to bet into, with the smaller numbers then you get to get more time Actually Seeing the Horses before the race! for me this is Important Going forward and I can then compare how the be presenting next time.. These two fields are small, but some top young horses to be seen!

tick... personally: I have a bit of form with a recently retired player from there... back in a day, via being a good mate with a senior rider there, over the likes of xmas, there was often a nice cherry to be had.. I live in hope re the A town track...

if it is free....

I'll drink to that... @TAB For Ever port for you?

thankfully paid walled...

I almost never touch NP, do try and watch any black type there, more for gleaning insights for upcoming G1's I actually have a strong win rate at Ruakaka! Though, I recon I would bet into 1 out of a 100 races.. I actually like the small sized fields as well. Will the field for this years version of their G race stack up? Interesting that TAK only had one start. Happy to have keep my power dry!

good to see the synthetic getting multi use... 😋

Not boring if you manage to 'find' the ones that get to the finish first! Punting wise, neither of Saturdays tracks are ones I bet on very much at all. Both have to bigger 'local knowledge, bias' for my liking. sadly, yet again, Rain! the bane of horse and punter, wins out on the day!

wow, 4 no wins...

3 down... hoping a first time winner happens

In the second: @TAB For Ever might steer you at Runningwiththedevil.. as ever! All Wins came tough! ps. I note the jockey not asked about the track?

rider comment " Heaviest track that I have ever ridden on!"

666 999 black magic, or? ps. nice ride!