Track rider Kalidas a/l Balakrishnan was disqualified a total of six years and fined RM100,000 when the Selangor Turf Club (SLTC) Stewards today concluded their inquiry into the circumstances surrounding PURPLE TOPOGIGO having to be withdrawn from Race 6 at the SLTC Professional/Amateur Meeting on 5 February 2004.

As this was the second occasion on which Kalidas has failed to appear, the matter was heard in his absence.

Evidence was taken taken from trainer Winson Liew, Professor Tan Soo Choon, Chief Analyst from USAINS Laboratory, Dr Shri Kanth, Official Veterinary Surgeon, Selangor Turf Club, Senior Track Rider Fareed Anthony and Syces Mohd Khairul Annuar bin Johari and Rizam bin Abdul Rahim and a written statement from Kalidas was tendered.

Kalidas was found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 200(7) in that he, a registered rackwork rider with the MRA, employed by W Liew, did on or about 6.00pm on the 4 February 2004, at the stables of trainer W Liew located at the Selangor Turf Club, prior to the race attempted to tamper with the racehorse PURPLE TOPOGIG10 to wit, administer a substance not being a feed to the horse PURPLE TOPOGIGO with the intention of doping the said racehorse which was declared to run in Race 6, Selangor Turf Club on 5 February 2004.

Kalidas was also found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 200(2) in that he, a track rider registered with the MRA, a person who had access to the racehorse PURPLE TOPOGIGO which was declared to run in Race 6, at the above-mentioned meeting, did prior to the race corruptly offer to accept a bribe, to wit a monetary reward in consideration for him to administer a substance not being a feed to the racehorse PURPLE TOPOGIGO for the purpose of doping the said horse.

On the first charge, he was disqualified for a period of 3 years and a fine of RM50,000 was imposed. On the second charge, he was also disqualified for a period of 3 years and was fined the sum of RM50,000. The Stewards ruled that the penalties are to be served consecutively.