SINGAPORE,  29 July 2006

DIANOND N ACE (5 b.a.g Torrential - Marcena by Marscay), who started favourite, finished smack-up fourth to LITTLE WIZARD.

At the conclusion of an inquiry in March, Saimee was found guilty to a charge under MRA Rule 144.(2) punishable under MRA Rule 144.(5) for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that DIAMOND N ACE was given full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best possible placing. The particulars of the charge were:

1. that when riding DIAMOND N ACE in the tenth race at the Singapore Turf Club Meeting on Saturday, 18 February 2006, he failed to ride with sufficient vigour and determination from near the 450m until near the 300m; and

2. he also failed to attempt to go to the outside of LITTLE WIZARD from near the 450m until near the 300m when there was an opportunity to do so and it was also reasonable to do so.

Saimee, champion jockey in Malaysia and second in the Singapore table last year, filed an appeal and was granted a stay of execution.

At the hearing today, after considering all of the evidence together with submissions from Saimee, his legal counsel, the Chairman of the Inquiry Panel and his legal counsel, the Race Meeting Stewards dismissed the appeal. The penalty was confirmed and Jockey Saimee was disqualified for a period of one year with immediate effect. His deposit was also forfeited.