Jose De Souza, who has been granted permit to ride on four cross-border racedays at Kranji next month, has been suspended two months for reckless riding on LUCK DRAGON in Ipoh on Sep 8.

In the Triumph Handicap (Class 4 - 1600m), LUCK DRAGON clipped the heels of K-POP, resulting in De Souza being dislodged.

At the conclusion of an inquiry at the Perak Turf Club yesterday, De Souza, the rider of LUCK DRAGON, was found guilty of a charge of reckless riding under MRA Rule 44(9)(a)(i) in that near the 1100m, he shifted his mount LUCK DRAGON inwards when not clear of the hind legs of K-POP (App I Amirul), resulting in LUCK DRAGON clipping the heels of K-POP, severely blundering and dislodging himself. These horses, which were following, had to take evasive action:

MARTEL (WK Yan), DASHFUL (KT Cheng), THUNDERING ANGEL (C Goon), SI BRAVO (Lou Ho), DON’TCALLME UNCLE (J Low), BELWINS (I Azhar), GOOD RECOMMEND (App KK Chin), FIERY GAMBADE (App KC Tham) and EQUALLY OPTIMISTIC (R Woodworth).

When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into account De Souza’s riding record, mitigating factors and the severity of the interference caused. His licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of two months. Acting under the provisions of MRA Rule 48(5), the Stewards deferred Jockey J De Souza’s suspension to commence from Sunday to Nov 21, both dates inclusive. In addition, he was fined the sum of RM2,000 and informed of his right of appeal.

The suspension all but ended his quest for the championship in Malaysia this season. He is currently third in the table with 30 winners, six behind the leader Azhar Ismail.