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The Stewards today concluded their inquiry into Y T Cheng’s riding of JUN JU in the Silvermine Bay Handicap which was run at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 12 October 2014. Further evidence was today taken from Y T Cheng, the rider of JUN JU, as well as from Mr C H Yip, the trainer of that horse. A written authority from Ms Chiu Yi, the owner of JUN JU, for Mr Jorge de Almeida to represent her interests at today’s hearing was acceded to by the Racing Stewards’ Panel.
Y T Cheng was found guilty of a breach of Hong Kong Rule of Racing 99 (2) and (5) in that as the rider of JUN JU in the stated race he did not take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
The charge was particularized as follows:-
1. That from after the 900 Metres he failed to maintain his position relative to CANNY FRANCO when it was both permissible and reasonable for him to do so. The consequence of his riding of JUN JU at this stage of the race being that AMAZING ALWAYS was able to shift in and obtain a position behind CANNY FRANCO and in front of JUN JU passing the 700 Metres resulted in JUN JU racing further back in the field than was necessary.
2. That from prior to the 500 Metres until the entrance to the Home Straight approaching the 400 Metres, he permitted JUN JU to remain racing behind AMAZING ALWAYS and in doing so failed to avail JUN JU of the opportunity to improve its position into a clear run which was available between AMAZING ALWAYS and BEAUTY JOURNEY when at all reasonable times it was both reasonable and permissible for him to have done so.
3. That from inside the 400 Metres until approaching the 300 Metres he did fail to ride JUN JU with sufficient purpose and vigour so as to avail JUN JU of a clear run which was available directly ahead of JUN JU between ENDORSING and CANNY FRANCO when it was both reasonable and permissible for him to have done so.
4. That from the 350 Metres until passing the 300 Metres he did permit JUN JU to remain racing directly behind CANNY FRANCO when at all relevant times a clear run was available for JUN JU to improve into both inside and outside of CANNY FRANCO.
5. That in all the circumstances he did fail to ride JUN JU with sufficient purpose and vigour from passing the 300 Metres until near the 200 Metres when it was both permissible and reasonable for him to have done so.
The Stewards considered that the appropriate penalty was for Jockey Cheng’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to expire on Monday, 5 January 2015 on which day he may resume race riding. The commencement of this suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting scheduled to be conducted on Sunday, 26 October 2014. During this period, there are 18 racemeetings scheduled to be conducted in Hong Kong. In determining penalty, the Stewards took into consideration all the circumstances of this matter and that this was the third occasion on which Jockey Cheng had been found guilty of breaching Rule 99 (2) and (5).
Mr Yip was advised that his evidence during this inquiry would be noted. He was further advised that this was the third occasion during recent racing seasons that he had been required to give evidence at an inquiry into the riding of a horse trained by him. He was told that he must ensure, as best as he is able, that horses trained by him are ridden in such a manner so as to leave no room for query.
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