At the conclusion of four inquries at the Penang Turf Club here today, three jockeys were handed suspensions ranging from three race days to four months.

Apprentice Razali Musa was suspended four months for his ride on PRISTINE CHOICE in a Class 5 - 1200m sprint here last Sunday. The Australian five-year-old finished fifth to TOSHI TOSHI.

At the conclusion of an inquiry today, after taking evidence from Razali in the presence of his master, trainer Bonny Ng, and KM Noordin, the trainer of PRISTINE CHOICE, and reviewing the films, the Stewards found Razali guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 44(10) for failing to ride his mount to the satisfaction of the Stewards. The particulars of the charge are as follows:

(1) From approximately the 600m to the 400m, he failed to improve his position when there was an opportunity to do so as per his instructions;

(2) From approximately the 250m to the winning post, he failed to ride his mount to the satisfaction of the Stewards.

When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Razali’s riding record and mitigating factors. Razali’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of four months. Acting on the provisions of MRA Rule 48(5), the Stewards deferred the commencement of Razali’s suspension to take effect from Monday, Mar 18 and to Jul 17, both dates inclusive. In addition, he was fined the sum of RM20,000. He was advised of his right of appeal.

Jockey Salee Saad was given a one-month suspension for his handling of TRIPLE COIN in another Class 5 - 1200m sprint here last Saturday. The Malaysian bred dead-heated for third behind SPEED TRAIN.

At the conclusion of an inquiry today, Salee pleaded guilty to a charge under MRA Rule 44(6) for failing to ride is horse out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards, in that he being the rider of TRIPLE COIN, had stood up and stopped riding approximately two strides before the winning post and in so doing, resulted in TRIPLE COIN deadheating for third placing with CASH MAN (Alan Ng), which in the opinion of the Stewards, TRIPLE COIN would have finished in an outright third placing had he not done so.

When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into account Salee’s guilty plea, his riding record and mitigating factors. Salee was suspended from riding in races for a period of one month. Acting on the provisions of MRA Rule 48(5), the Stewards deferred the commencement of Salee’s suspension to take effect from Monday, Mar 18 to Apr 17, both dates inclusive. He was advised of his right of appeal.

Visiting jockey Mark Gallgaher copped two suspensions. He was given three days for allowing his mount BLAZING POWER to cause interference to BE LUCKY in a Class 4 - 1100m sprint here last Sunday.