Former champion jockey Saimee Jumaat, who managed just 12 winners in Singapore in the the just-concluded season, has been disqualified 18 months and fined S$50,000 for his handling of PROFOUND (O’Reilly - La Scaka by Bahhare) in the Maiden, Div 1 - 1200m sprint on the polytrack at Kranji on Dec 7.

The New Zealand four-year-old came from second last of 12 runners at the home turn to finish second to WAIRAKEI, beaten two lengths. The gelding promptly broke through for his maiden win the next start a week later.

The inquiry into the run of PROFOUND on Dec 7 was concluded on Tuesday. After taking evidence from Saimee and trainer Laurie Laxon, the trainer of PROFOUND, Saimee was found guilty to a charge under MRA Rule 44(8) for failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to obtain the best possible placing. The particulars of the charge are:

1. in that from the 600m until the concluding stages, he failed to ride that gelding with sufficient vigour and determination when it was reasonable and permissible to do so.

When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into account the nature of the charge and his record. Jockey Saimee was disqualified for a period of eighteen months with immediate effect from Dec 17 to June 16, 2014 both dates inclusive and in addition, he was fined a sum of S$50,000. He was advised of his right of appeal.

On Tuesday, Saimee exercised his right of appeal against the decision of the Stipendiary Stewards and the penalty imposed on him.