Apprentice Mohd Eirwan Khalid has failed in his appeal against a one-year disqualification for his handling of MORE N MORE who finished fourth to NO KIDDING in a Class 5, Div 3 - 1400m race in Penang on Feb 4.

At the conclusion of the inquiry the following day, Eirwan, in the presence of his master trainer KC Tiang, was found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 144(2) in that whist riding MORE N MORE, he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that MORE N MORE was given full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best possible placing.

The particulars of the charge were:

1. That whilst traveling well, on the bit and when he had opportunities to do so, from approximately the 800m to the 400m, he failed to maintain his position in midfield and lost ground on the leaders during that portion of the race; and

2. In the home straight, he failed to ride MORE N MORE with sufficient vigour and or determination when his horse was running on.

After deliberation and considering the provisions of MRA Rule 144(5), Eirwan was disqualified from riding in races for a period of one year  and was advised of his right of appeal.