However, Azhar has lodged an appeal against the findings of the Stipendiary Stewards and has been granted a stay of execution on application.

It is a piece of news which will shock most racegoers as Azhar is not only popular, always attracting the loudest cheers when jockeys are presented before the big races, he has a pretty "clean" record as well.

An inquiry was initiated on Saturday and when it resumed today, further evidence was taken from Azhar and and trainer Leslie Khoo.

Jockey Azhar was then 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 was disqualified from racing for a period of twelve months with immediate effect but subsequently lodged an appeal against the findings of the Stipendiary Stewards and a stay of sentence which was granted.

Trainer Khoo said 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.

Azhar is the second jockey in a few days to be disqualified 12 months.

Last Thursday, BN Shahrul was also handed the same "sentence" after the Stewards concluded their inquiry into the running and handling of NORTH EMPEROR, which finished fifth to BALUNA PARK in the Class 4, Div 2 - 1,400m handicap on February 26.

Shahrul was found guilty to a charge of failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that NORTH EMPEROR was given full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best possible placing under MRA Rule 144(2).

The particulars being:

1. That on jumping and in the early stages, he unduly restrained NORTH EMPEROR, losing a favourable position.

2. That from the 1200m to the 950m, he restrained his mount and failed to take up an opportunity which was available to improve and occupy a position on the back of HOMBRE.

3. For some distance approaching the 800m, he continued to restrain his mount and as a result, BALUNA PARK, which was racing to his outside, was able to cross him onto the fence, thereby causing him to check off the heels of that runner. As a consequent, NORTH EMPEROR raced further back than was necessary.

4. From about the 700m lo the home turn, did fail to make sufficient effort to improve his position along the inside rail up onto the back of BALUNA PARK when it was reasonable and permissible to do so.

5. During the home straight, he rode in the circumstances, with insufficient and inadequate vigour in that:

(a) between 350m to the finish, he failed to ride his mount fully when riding with the whip in his left hand.

(b) failed to pull the whip through at any stage of the race into his right hand whereby he would be able to fully and vigorously test NORTH EMPEROR in the home straight.

Shahrul was disqualified from racing for a period of twelve months with immediate effect.

Trainer YB Lee advised that the instructions were to have NORTH EMPEROR in a midfield position, however, given the circumstances, he expressed general dissatisfaction with the ride.