Jockey Harmeet Singh Gill, who was suspended four months last year for failing to ride to the satisfaction of the Stewards, has been charged for the same offence again and will be out of action for four months again.

This time, the former top apprentice was hauled up for his ride on YES CLUB in a Class 4 - 1200m sprint at Sungei Besi on Jan 12.

The Stewards concluded an inquiry into the riding of YES CLUB at the Selangor Turf Club today. Evidence was taken from Gill and Shane Edwards, the trainer of YES CLUB.

Gill 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:

1. He failed to satisfy the Stewards that between the 800m to the 400m, he rode with vigour and that he had restrained YES CLUB and failed to improve his position; and

2. The Stewards were not satisfied with his explanation with respect to failing to come to the outside of PERFECT TIME (C Goon) to obtain clear running.

In assessing on penalty, the Stewards took into account Gill’s mitigating factors and his previous record. Acting on the provisions of MRA Rule 48(5), the Stewards deferred the commencement of Gill’s suspension. He was suspended from riding in races for a period of four months from Feb 3 and Jun 2, both dates inclusive. He was also fined RM20,000 and advised of his right of appeal.

Two other riders who faced similar charges this week and handed suspensions were apprentice Kelvin Khoo and jockey How Yang.

Khoo on Tuesday was hauled up for his ride on JOYFUL in Ipoh last Sunday. Khoo, in the presence of his master, trainer Peter Lee, pleaded guilty to a charge under MRA Rule 44(10) for failing to ride to the satisfaction of the Stewards, in that he made insufficient effort in an endeavour to improve his position from approximately the 750m to the 500m to race behind JOE CZARINA (App WT Chung) when there was an opportunity to do so.

When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into account his guilty plea, riding record and mitigating factors. Khoo’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of three months from Jan 21 to Apr 20, both days inclusive and to be served concurrently with his current suspension. He was advised of his right of appeal.

At the Perak Turf Club yesterday, How Yang pleaded guilty to a charge under MRA Rule 44(10) for failing to ride to the satisfaction of the Stewards on UNCLE GLORY in Ipoh on Jan 18, in that from the 600m to the 400m, he failed to ride with sufficient vigour and determination to improve his position when there was an opportunity to do so as instructed.