PENANG,  3 February 2007

Jockey Kelvin Oh was suspended nine months yesterday after the conclusion of an inquiry into his handling of IMPACT last week.

IMPACT, trained by Chong Keng Leong and ridden by Oh, came from last of 11 runners at the 800m to finish fifth to WONDERFUL MEMORIES in the Class 4, Div 4 - 1200m sprint.

Oh was found guilty of a charge of incompetent riding under MRA Rule 44(9)(e).

The particulars of the charge were that:

1. Whilst riding IMPACT, and after a slow start, between the 1200m mark and the 800m mark he showed a lack of initiative and got back further in the field than he needed to be;

2. Thereafter in the home straight between the 400m and the 300m, he erred in electing to look for a clear run on the outside of JOKER DE BEST and CHINA TOWN KING as this opening only materialize at about the 300m mark; and

3. Thereafter he used his whip in the right hand when IMPACT had a tendency to lay inwards which resulted in him having to steady his mount on two occasions prior to the finish of the race.

Oh exercised his right of appeal against the severity of sentence today and the appeal will be held on a date to be fixed.