One of the most celebrated comebacks in Australian racing got under way on Monday when Damien Oliver sat on a horse for the first time in eight months.
Oliver’s eight-month disqualification for betting $10,000 on a horse in a race in which he rode ended at the weekend.
He still has a two-month suspension to serve before he can ride in races, but on Monday he was permitted to ride trackwork for the first time.
Oliver said his immediate goal is to win back the trust of the racing industry.
“It’s up to me now to prove I can be a part of an industry in which most people are honest and hard working,” Oliver said.
The dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey also apologised for his indiscretions and asked for forgiveness from the racing public, trainers and owners.