KUALA LUMPUR,  11 Dec 2008

Apprentice Tai Lee Leong has been disqualified one year for his handling of JERAM WONDER last Saturday, when the Moon Rocket gelding finished third to REAL WARRIOR in a Class 3 - 1400m sprint.

The Stewards concluded an inquiry into the running and handling of the gelding today. After taking evidence from Tai in the presence of his master, trainer Abdul Rahim, and Frank Maynard (the trainer of JERAM WONDER), and after reviewing the video, Tai was found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 44(8) in that whilst riding JERAM WONDER in the above race, he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that JERAM WONDER was given full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best possible placing.

The particulars of the charge were that:

1. On straightening, he failed to take a run on the outside of ROYAL PRIDE and instead, restrained his mount resulting in it opening its mouth;
2. At approximately the 200m mark, he failed to make any attempt to take the gap between GOLD BLADE and REAL WARRIOR when there was an opportunity to do so and continued to restrain his mount;
3. At approximately the 100m mark, he remained behind GOLD BLADE when there was an opportunity to improve either inside or outside of that runner;
4. In the concluding stages, he then shifted his mount in onto the heels of GOLD BLADE resulting in him having to check his mount.

When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the facts of this case, Tai’s clean record and points of mitigation. After considering the provisions of MRA Rule 44(8)(a), Tai was disqualified for a period of one year with immediate effect from today and to expire on Dec 11, 2009, both days inclusive. He was advised of his right of appeal.