Damien Oliver has won his appeal against a one-month suspension after a random drug test on Derby day showed traces of ephedrine.

Damien had taken some herbal medicine that suppresses appetite.

Ephedrine has only recently been placed on the banned list.

The Judge upheld the appeal and proceeded to give Racing Victoria a serve. He said they obviously had a communication problem that needed to be addressed urgently.

The Judge didn’t miss stewards. He was critical that jockeys were expected to keep abreast of changes of rules by reading a magazine titled “Inside Racing”.

Those who paid $1.8 million to purchase a three-quarter sister to Makybe Diva must be down in the dumps after a mid-week Maiden at Eagle Farm last week.

She paraded beautifully before the race but when they jumped, she missed the start and ended up only beating one home.

Of course her famous three-quarter sister was also a late maturer, but her owners will have to make a decision if she continues to show no form.

At the moment she would be a very valuable brood mare with her foals bringing big money, but every time she fails on the race track their value will decrease.

Just in case you missed the e-mail doing the rounds.

What does Tiger Woods and Seals have in common? They both get clubbed by Norwegians.

“Tags” and the boys are expecting a record crowd at this year’s Texas Cup on Saturday. Big fields, plenty of bookmakers, ice-cold beer plus the well-known Texas hospitality guarantees a great day.

A group of Goondiwindi revellers have solved the problem of drawing straws to see who will become the sober designated driver by hiring a bus for the occasion.

“They” tell us leading Texas bookmaker Steve Schwenke has a “bird” for the day but getting the name from him could be difficult.

He slept in the spare room all this week just in case he talks in his sleep

The one we picked out to get the Christmas cheer, Saint Chaparral went around Saturday. Missed the $17 dollars early but grabbed the $9 Friday morning. Started at $5.50.