Racing targets cheats with automatic bans Damien Oliver fronts the media after he was banned from riding for 10 months. Picture: Andrew Tauber Source: Herald Sun DAMIEN Oliver would have been given an automatic two-year disqualification under minimum penalty laws which will be introduced into Australian racing on March 1. After an exhaustive consultation process with race clubs, jockeys and trainers associations, the Australian Racing Board has come up with minimum penalties for nine offences that carry disqualification, ranging from six months to five years. The most serious is conduct that corrupts the outcome of a race, which carries an automatic five-year sentence. Oliver was disqualified for 10 months last year after confessing to betting on a rival horse in a race at Moonee Valley. The sentence was widely criticised as being too lenient. Under the new ARB policy, being found guilty of the offence carries a minimum two-year sentence. The "tubing" of horses on raceday was a hot topic during the spring carnival and offenders will now automatically be disqualified for nine months. The RAD Board in Victoria yesterday disqualified Con Karakatsanis for nine months over his involvement in the Howmuchdoyouloveme Derby Day drama, while his father Tony was banned for two years. The pair will appeal against the respective sentences. ARB chief executive Peter McGauran said the Oliver case was "symptomatic of the problem," but not the reason for the strong approach that will take effect next month. He stressed the new rules were minimum penalties and repeat offenders could be sentenced above the minimum. "Stewards were imposing lighter sentences in the knowledge they would be reduced on appeal otherwise," McGauran said. Large penalties have been eroded over the last 20 years by appellant bodies. This will be welcomed by racing customers, namely punters, who rightly demand complete confidence in integrity of races in which they place their hard-earned money. We don't want repeat offenders in the industry and we intend to drive them out. Why are there trainers holding a licence that have three or four drug convictions against them? Integrity is black and white. If you are guilty, there is no place for you in racing. There is a special circumstances clause in the new rules but McGauran said it would only apply in extreme cases. "There would have to be rare and exceptional circumstances for an appellant body to reduce a sentence on appeal," he said. The clause is there to take into account unforeseen circumstances that may include mental health or acting under duress.