The Stewards today concluded their inquiry into H T Mo’s riding of RACING FIGHTER in the Citi Mortgage Services Handicap which was run at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 16 February 2020. Further evidence was today taken from Jockey Mo and from Mr C H Yip, the trainer of RACING FIGHTER. Evidence was also taken from Dr Sonny M M Li, manager of the CAAF Syndicate, owner of RACING FIGHTER. It was established that Dr Li was present in the Parade Ring when the instructions were given by Mr Yip to Jockey Mo as to how RACING FIGHTER should be ridden in this race.
H T Mo was charged with having breached Hong Kong Rule of Racing 99 (2) and (6) in that as the rider of RACING FIGHTER in the stated race, he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure RACING FIGHTER was given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
The particulars of the charge being:-
- That after the 350 Metres he did fail to direct RACING FIGHTER to the inside of GRACEANDMERCY when there was clear running available to the inside of that horse when it was both reasonable and permissible for him to have done so.
- That between approximately the 325 Metres and the 275 Metres he did restrain RACING FIGHTER behind GRACEANDMERCY and remain racing behind that horse when at all relevant times there was clear running to the inside of GRACEANDMERCY to improve into.
- That by riding RACING FIGHTER as he did between approximately the 325 Metres and the 275 Metres he did fail to take all reasonable and permissible measures on that horse to ensure that RACING FIGHTER was given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
Jockey Mo pleaded guilty to the charge. After having considered the matter, the Stewards determined that the appropriate penalty was for Jockey Mo’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Wednesday, 18 March 2020 and to expire on Monday, 13 April 2020 on which day he may resume riding. During that period, there are eight (8) racemeetings scheduled to be conducted in Hong Kong.
In reaching the decision to defer the commencement date of this period of suspension until 18 March 2020, the Stewards were mindful that it was not available for Jockey Mo to include several upcoming racemeetings in any period of suspension due to the Club’s requirement for him to ride at those racemeetings because of the number of jockeys available to ride on those days. The Stewards had previously made similar rulings in these circumstances in respect of matters involving a jockey being suspended from riding in races.
The evidence tendered by Mr Yip and Dr Li was accepted.
