KUALA LUMPUR,  16 February 2008

Apprentice J Nizam was yesterday suspended four months for his handling of GOLDEN RULE in the Class 4, Div 5 - 1200m sprint here last Sunday.

GOLDEN RULE finished second, beaten only three quarters of a length, to CONSTIDAAD.

At the conclusion of an inquiry yesterday, Nizam, the rider of GOLDEN RULE, was found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 44(10) for failing to ride to the satisfaction of the Stewards. The particulars of the charge were that whilst riding GOLDEN RULE in the above race, he dropped his whip at approximately the 200m mark for no satisfactory reason and thereafter, he failed to ride his mount with sufficient vigour.

When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into account the facts of this case, Nizam’s points of mitigation and his record. Nizam was suspended from riding in races for a period of four months with effect from Feb 18 and to expire June 17, both days inclusive. He was advised of his right of appeal and Nizam subsequently exercised his right of appeal.