Keating, now based at Coffs Harbour, is embroiled in a Queensland Racing stewards' inquiry that involves Danny Nikolic's trainer brother, John.

 

Keating said fallout from a weekend newspaper report had led to him losing mounts.

 

He said he had lost rides at the meeting at Port Macquarie on Thursday and his name had been trashed at Grafton races on Saturday.

 

"Trainers are not willing to put me on because it's been made out that I'm hooked up with big bookmakers and big punters," Keating said.

 

"That's 100 per cent not the case. All it is, is innuendo and bulls--t. Blind Freddy could see that I scrubbed the horse (Baby Boom) the whole way.

 

"I have nothing to hide, but I'm losing rides because this information has come out. No one has been charged, but I'm getting victimised and my reputation is completely sullied.

 

"Nothing has been proved, but I'm getting labelled. I'm a battler. I don't have $100,000 in a bank account that I can draw upon.

"I'm surviving week to week.

 

"For me to lose rides at Port Macquarie because of this -- it's my bread and butter."

 

Keating rode the John Nikolic-trained Baby Boom when the mare finished fourth, as a $1.80 favourite, in a Sunshine Coast race on January 3.

 

Queensland Racing stewards opened and adjourned an inquiry into the running and handling of Baby Boom after they established there was "a large volume of money on the horse to lose" matched on Betfair.

 

Chief steward Wade Birch flew to Melbourne last week to interview a professional punter at Sandown races.

 

The same punter has been interviewed by Racing Victoria stewards.

 

The Queensland inquiry has been adjourned to a date to be fixed.

 

RVL stewards next Tuesday will resume their inquiry into nine rides by Danny Nikolic during the past four months. At least six trainers are expected to attend, as well as Nikolic.