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Apprentice Cheng Han Kok
has been disqualified for one year for his handling of COLONIAL RIDER in a
Kranji Stakes C event over 1600m at Kranji on July 29. The Argentinean
gelding finished eighth of 11 runners to BLUE ANGEL.
The Inquiry into the running of COLONIAL RIDER was concluded on Monday.
Cheng, the rider of COLONIAL RIDER, in the presence of his master, trainer
Bruce Marsh, was found guilty to a charge under MRA Rule 44(8) for failing
to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that COLONIAL
RIDER was given full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best
possible placing. The particulars of the charge are:
1. that when the start was effected, he failed
to give COLONIAL RIDER sufficient rein, resulting in the gelding beginning
very awkwardly and losing considerable ground;
2. that from the 1500m until 1000m, he failed to attempt to improve to a
position racing directly behind VICTORY CONQUEROR or PARUA BAY, when in the
opinion of the Stewards, it was reasonable and permissible for him to do so;
3. that from the 1000m to 450m, after shifting inwards towards the rail, he
failed to attempt to improve to the inside of WHO IS JIMMY, which would have
afforded him the opportunity to take a position either directly behind or to
the outside of BIG OCCASION, when in the opinion of the Stewards, it was
reasonable and permissible for him to do so; and
4. that from the 450m to the Winning Post, he failed to ride COLONIAL RIDER
with the vigour and determination of his usual standard, when the gelding
was making ground.
And that by these particulars, he has failed to take all reasonable and
permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his horse was given
full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best possible placing.
Cheng was disqualified for a period of one year with immediate effect from
Monday to Tuesday, August 12 next year and was advised of his right of
appeal.
Yesterday, Cheng exercised his right of appeal against the decision of the
Stipendiary Stewards and the penalty imposed on him. He subsequently applied
for a stay of sentence and his application was denied. The appeal will be
heard at a date to be fixed.  |
