IPOH,  7 April 2008

Trainer Tiang Kim Choi was today fined RM25,000 for providing false evidence at the inquiry into the handling of WONDERFUL WIZARD in the Class 4, Div 5 - 1200m sprint in Penang on Mar 22.

WONDERFUL WIZARD, trained by Tiang and ridden by apprentice K Eirwan, finished finished sixth to VENOM. Eirwan was on Mar 24 suspended three months at the conclusion of an inquiry over his handling of the gelding after he pleaded guilty to 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 WONDERFUL WIZARD in the above race, he made insufficient effort to ride to the instructions given by the Trainer which had been submitted to the Stewards prior to the race.

When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into account the facts of this case and Eirwan’s record.

In addition, Tiang was found guilty to a charge of negligence under MRA Rule 152(5)(a) in that he failed to report to the Stewards immediately after the running of the above race with regards to his concerns with the ride on WONDERFUL WIZARD. When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into account the facts of this case and Tiang’s clean record. Tiang was fined RM5,000 and was advised of his right of appeal.

Tiang was further informed that he cannot nominate App Eirwan on WONDERFUL WIZARD without the Stewards’ prior permission.

As a result of the evidence provided by Tiang at the inquiry, he was today found guilty of a charge of misconduct under MRA Rule 152(5) in that he gave false evidence during the inquiry on Mar 24 in that he had started that he had placed a bet of RM300 each way at the tote counter in the Trainer's Room at the Penang Turf Club on Mar 22. This information that he submitted was false.