IPOH,  6 January 2007

Jockey John Keating has been suspended for six months for his handling of POPULAR in a Class 5, Div 3 - 1100m sprint over the straight course in Ipoh on July 23.

The Australian jockey was initially found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 144(2) disqualified for a period one year and fined RM20,000 at the conclusion of an inquiry on Sept 9.

Keating filed an appeal which was heard yesterday.

After considering submissions from Keating, his counsel and the Chief Stipendiary Steward, and after considering all the evidence, the Perak Turf Club Racing Stewards instead charged Keating under MRA Rule 149(a) and suspended him for a period of six months with immediate effect.

Keating's suspension will expire on July 4 but in terms of MRA Rule 57(b), Keating, a visiting jockey, “shall not be eligible to apply for a jockey’s licence until the expiration of three years from the expiry of the period of suspension”.