PENANG,  12 May 2007

High riding jockey Shahrul Nizam has been suspended three months for his ride on SUCCESS HERO last Saturday when Bellotto gelding finished sixth to WHY ME in the Class 5, Div 1 - 1700m handicap

At the conclusion of an inquiry yesterday, Shahrul, the rider of SUCCESS HERO, pleaded guilty to a charge under MRA Rule 44(10) for failing to ride to the satisfaction of the Stewards whilst riding SUCCESS HERO in the home straight in the above race. The particulars of the charge were that from approximately the 300m mark, his hands and heels ride was weak and his whip use, in the left hand, was not effective.

When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into account that this was a weak field and that SUCCESS HERO had limited form. Shahrul was suspended from riding in races for a period of three months with effect from Monday, May 14. He was advised of his right of appeal.

Shahrul currently leads the jockey's table with 27 winners, four ahead of Azhar Ismail.