PENANG,  24 December 2006

MYSTICAL, first past the Maiden, Div 2 - 1200m sprint here today, was sensationally disqualified from the race.

According to the Stipe's Report: "Subsequent to the race prior to the “All Clear” being given, the Clerk of Scales lodged an objection against MYSTICAL, ridden by Jockey V Sivan, being declared the winner, on the grounds that Jockey V Sivan had weighed in 2kgs less than the weight that he weighed out.

"It was established from the video replays that one piece of lead had fallen out of the lead bag at approximately the 150m mark and that a second piece of lead was found entering the home straight at about the 400m mark. Therefore MYSTICAL had carried less than the correct weight prior to the finish.

"After considering all the evidence and taking into account MRA Rule 165, the objection was upheld, MYSTICAL was disqualified from the race and the result was amended to read:

1st - SMART BABE (App LL Tai)
2nd - PERFIL REAL (App G Magen)
3rd - MEDO (App M Zairi)
4th - STAY THE CAUSE (App J Nizam)

At a subsequent inquiry, Trainer Gary van Breukelen, the trainer of MYSTICAL, pleaded guilty to a charge of negligence under MRA Rule 53(b)(i) as read with MRA Rule 212 for presenting MYSTICAL to race with a lead bag that was worn, which resulted in some lead weight being lost during the running of this race. Trainer Gary van Breukelen was fined RM1,000. Jockey V Sivan, the rider of MYSTICAL, pleaded guilty to a charge of negligence under MRA Rule 53(b)(i) as read with MRA Rule 212 for using a weight bag that was worn, which resulted in some lead being lost during the running of this race. Jockey V Sivan was fined RM1,000. Both Trainer van Breukelen and Jockey Sivan were advised of their right of appeal (5:15pm).