Champion jockey Damien Oliver and jumps rider Paul Hamblin fail breath tests at Warrnambool

There’s been a controversial start to the final day of the Warrnambool racing carnival, with champion jockey Damien Oliver and fellow rider Paul Hamblin failing breath tests.

The pair were stood down after being unfit to ride by stewards.

Three-time Melbourne Cup winner Oliver has been handed a 29-day suspension, with Hamblin also set to miss a month of racing.

‘Shiny Manners’ was scratched from the first race on day three of the carnival after Hamblin recorded an elevated reading.

Stewards confirmed a short time later that three-time Melbourne Cup winner Oliver was also over the limit.

The carnival was already under scrutiny following the death of two horses this week.

‘Tuscan Fire’ and ‘Cliff’s Dream’ both put down following accidents on the track.