THE Melbourne Age reports today that a former high-profile Gold Coast bookmaker has emerged as an important figure in the long-running investigation into a number of jockey Dan Nikolic's beaten rides.

Racing writer Andrew Eddy has learnt that Racing Victoria Ltd's Integrity Department is examining the connection between the former bookmaker and professional punter Neville Clements, who was last week warned off racecourses for failing to comply with an order to hand over his phone records to stewards.

Chief steward Terry Bailey would not comment on the latest revelation yesterday, but it is believed that stewards are investigating whether the former bookmaker laid the same eight horses ridden by Nikolic that stewards found that Clements had laid to lose with betting exchange Betfair.

It is expected that stewards will also attempt to examine the betting history of some of the former bookmaker's family members.

It is believed that Clements has a long relationship with the Gold Coast bookmaker-turned-punter and that the pair were in frequent contact, either directly or through a third party.

The revelation of the Gold Coast link to the inquiry follows the news that Victoria Police have also begun investigations into 10 of Nikolic's rides that are under review by stewards.

It also came to light this week that, despite earlier reports to the contrary, at least two of the seven trainers interviewed by stewards into Nikolic's handling of their beaten horses were not satisfied with the manner in which their horses were ridden.

Also, the initial phone records supplied by Nikolic to stewards were incomplete but RVL stewards have since obtained a full list of calls made from Nikolic's mobile phone.

It is also understood that Nikolic intends appealing to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal against the $5000 fine imposed by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on March 16 for failing to hand over his phone for examination following a request by stewards.

Nikolic, who handed over his phone to stewards last week when facing a possible suspension, still faces a second charge of using his mobile phone at Flemington during the January 1 meeting to contact Clements without the permission of stewards.

Stewards are yet to finalise a date for the resumption of that inquiry as investigations are continuing.

Meanwhile, a new date is being sought for the hearing of the 10 charges laid against co-trainers Bevan and Richard Laming after two positive swabs to banned substance EPO last year.

The father-and-son training team were to face the RAD Board on Monday week, but the board this week accepted an application from both parties to adjourn the hearing to a future date.

Another father-and-son training team, Bill and Symon Wilde, face a prohibited-substance charge after anti-inflammatory drugs phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone were found in a blood sample from Kapu Star after he had trialled at Terang in January.

Stewards have adjourned an inquiry into an alleged fight between riders Ernie Marchant and Dean Holland in the jockeys' room after the third race at Echuca on Tuesday.

REPORT COURTESY OF ANDREW EDDY AND THE MELBOURNE AGE