Jockey Dan Nikolic will have to answer nine charges but none related to his handling of 10 beaten horses which have been the subject of a four-month Racing Victoria stewards' inquiry.Stewards concluded their investigation two weeks ago and on Friday announced the charges against Nikolic which include two of improper practice and two of conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing.Nikolic was also charged with one count of engaging in improper behaviour and four of leaving the jockeys' room dur

Jockey Dan Nikolic will have to answer nine charges but none related to his handling of 10 beaten horses which have been the subject of a four-month Racing Victoria stewards' inquiry.

Stewards concluded their investigation two weeks ago and on Friday announced the charges against Nikolic which include two of improper practice and two of conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing.

Nikolic was also charged with one count of engaging in improper behaviour and four of leaving the jockeys' room during riding commitments without permission of stewards to contact various associates using his mobile phone.

Nikolic maintained his innocence throughout the marathon inquiry which he admitted had been stressful and affected his reputation.

The inquiry began when he was beaten on $1.60 favourite Finishing Card in a maiden at Mornington on January 8.

During the course of the investigation Nikolic was fined $5000 for refusing to hand over his mobile phone to stewards so that they could check his contacts.

Also during the inquiry family friend Neville Clements, a professional punter and commission agent, was warned off for failing to produce his phone records to stewards.

In recent weeks form analyst Mark Hunter and high-profile owner John O'Neill were among others called to give evidence at the inquiry.

Nikolic's lawyer Paul O'Sullivan said Nikolic regarded the charges against him as being an "attack on his personal and professional integrity and intends to do all that is necessary to defend himself against such attack".

"It is important to note that Danny has not been charged in relation to the manner in which he rode any of the horses that were subject of the inquiry," O'Sullivan said.

He said that at this time Nikolic had not been served the evidence on which the stewards relied in bringing the charges.

"However Danny strongly denies engaging in any conduct that threatens the integrity or welfare of racing in Victoria," O'Sullivan said.

"On receipt of the stewards' evidence, I anticipate that Danny will instruct me to vigorously defend the charges that have been brought against him."

O'Sullivan said Nikolic was appreciative of the support from many people since the start of the inquiry.

Stewards found that in relation to improper practices and prejudicial conduct that Nikolic formed associations with persons and through communications with them lay bets, which were placed on Betfair against a number on his rides between October 2009 and February 13 this year.

Stewards didn't name the associates but described the bets as being "well outside the associates' normal betting patterns".

The improper behaviour charge relates to Nikolic's conduct before stewards at Moonee Valley on February 13.

Stewards charged Nikolic with making contact with various associates via his mobile phone last year at Seymour on October 18, Kyneton on October 20, Geelong on October 21 and Flemington on New Year's day this year.

The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board will hear all nine charges against Nikolic on a date to be fixed.