Azhar Ismail's disqualification confirmed

IPOH,  6 May 2005

Azhar Ismail, champion jockey in Malaysia for the past four seasons, will serve his 12-month disqualification with immediate effect after failing in his appeal today.

The Perak Turf Club Racing Stewards heard his appeal. Evidence was taken from the Chief Stipendiary Steward, Azhar and his counsel.

After consideration, the appeal was dismissed and his deposit forfeited.

Azhar was disqualified following the conclusion of an inquiry on March 7 into the running and handling of MOKSHA in the Class 5 - 1,600m race for home based horses run in Ipoh two days earlier. MOKSHA finished fifth of seven runners to NEVER GIVE UP.

Azhar was found guilty of a charge for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his mount, MOKSHA was given full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best possible placing under MRA Rule 144(2).

The particulars being:

1) Shortly after the start and for some distance later, he continually restrained his mount and made no effort to maintain his handy position in accordance with his instructions;

2) Approaching the first turn near the 1400m, whilst still restraining MOKSHA, he failed to maintain his position inside EURO DOLLAR when it was reasonable to do so and thereby permitted that runner to cross him and take his rightful running soon after. As a result, he was obliged to steady and raced further back than necessary.

3) Between the 1350m and approaching the 1200m, whilst racing in a rearward position, he restrained his mount and failed to take an opportunity which was available to improve and occupy a position on the back of MOTION which would have afforded him an opportunity of racing mid-field.

4) That after the 1200m, he failed to make sufficient effort to maintain his position inside CELEBRATION and as such, this enabled that runner to cross him near the 1100m, obliging him to steady off the heels of CELEBRATION, whereby he lost ground and his one-off position.

Azhar later lodged an appeal against the findings of the Stipendiary Stewards and was granted a stay of execution on application.

Trainer Khoo said at the inquiry that the instructions were to be in a handy position, 3rd or 4th and he was disappointed that MOKSHA got out of its ground in the early and middle stages of the race.