First season apprentice Tai Lee Leong has been disqualified one year over his handling of ELEGANT SPIRIT in the Class 3, Div 2 - 1200m sprint here last Sunday.

Trained by his master Frank Maynard, ELEGANT SPIRIT, with a win, a third and a fourth from his first three starts, finished eighth to CASH MONEY.

At the conclusion of the inquiry yesterday, Tai, in the presence of  Maynard, pleaded guilty to a charge under MRA Rule 144(2) in that whilst riding ELEGANT SPIRIT, he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that ELEGANT SPIRIT was given full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best possible placing.

The particulars of the charge were:

1. After a fair jump at the start, he failed to encourage his horse to race midfield, towards the inside as instructed and when there were opportunities for him to do so;

2. Between the 600m and the 400m, whilst his horse was traveling well and on the bit, he allowed ELEGANT SPIRIT to lose some ground and allowed the majority of the field to race away from him, placing his horse at a disadvantage, prior to entering the home straight; and

3. Thereafter in the home straight, he failed to ride his horse with sufficient vigour and determination when he had every opportunity to do so, particularly in the final 200m when his horse was running on.

After considering the provisions of MRA Rule 144(5), App LL Tai was disqualified from riding in races for a period of one year with immediate effect from Saturday, 17 December 2005 and to expire on 16 December 2006, both days inclusive. He was advised of his right of appeal.

In addition, trainer F Maynard was warned that in future he would be expected to give more explicit instructions to his riders, particularly an apprentice jockey engaged to ride any of his horses.