The Stewards today concluded their inquiry into Apprentice C Y Lui’s riding of NUMERO UNO in the Luk Wu Handicap which was run at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 28 December 2014. Further evidence was today taken from Apprentice Lui, Mr P F Yiu, Apprentice Lui’s allocated trainer, and Mr T P Yung, the trainer of NUMERO UNO. A written authority for Mr Yung to represent the interests of Dr Stanley Chiang Li Biau, the owner of NUMERO UNO, at today’s inquiry was tendered. Evidence was also today taken from Dr Peter Tio Man Kwun MBBS (HK), FRCSEd, FHKCS, FHKCOS, FRCSE (Orth), FHKAM (Orthopaedic Surgery).
Dr Tio, a specialist in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, provided his professional opinion in respect of a report to him on the results of an MRI scan of Apprentice Lui’s right shoulder which was taken on Tuesday, 30 December 2014.
After carefully considering all the evidence provided throughout the inquiry, Apprentice Lui was charged with having breached Hong Kong Rule of Racing 99 (2) and (5) in that as the rider of NUMERO UNO in the stated race, he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure NUMERO UNO was given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
The charge against Apprentice Lui was particularised as follows:-
1. That after riding NUMERO UNO along in the early stages of the race to clear HARD BALL GET and other runners to the inside of NUMERO UNO, he did fail to make any reasonable endeavor to steady NUMERO UNO after having assumed the outright lead near the 1000 Metres when it was both reasonable and permissible for him to have done so.
2. That he did continue to fail to make any reasonable endeavor to steady NUMERO UNO between the 1000 Metres and the 500 Metres when it was both reasonable and permissible for him to have done so which resulted in NUMERO UNO running at an extremely fast tempo and consequently establishing a significant lead over the remainder of the field.
3. That by failing to make any reasonable attempt to steady NUMERO UNO between the 1000 Metres and the 500 Metres, the horse was required to run at an extremely fast tempo which was contrary to the instructions issued by Mr T P Yung, the trainer of NUMERO UNO, for him to “try to control the pace”.
4. That by his failure to make any reasonable endeavor to steady NUMERO UNO between the 1000 Metres and the 500 Metres, the horse was not able to perform competitively during the latter stages of race which denied NUMERO UNO of a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
After conferring with Mr Yiu, Apprentice Lui pleaded guilty to the charge.
Having considered all the circumstances of this case, the Stewards ruled that the appropriate penalty was for Apprentice Lui’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday, 29 January 2015 on which day he may resume race riding. This suspension is with immediate effect. During this period, there are 8 racemeetings scheduled to be conducted in Hong Kong.
Mr Yung was advised that his evidence was accepted by the Stewards.
The Stewards advised Apprentice Lui and Mr Yiu that notwithstanding Apprentice Lui’s right of appeal against the decision of the Stewards, prior to Apprentice Lui resuming riding in official barrier trials or in races, he must undergo a further MRI scan of his right shoulder after which he will be required to attend a follow-up appointment and be cleared to resume riding by Dr Tio. Further, in order to establish that there are no ongoing issues with his right shoulder, he must ride in a number of official barrier trials before the Stewards will permit him to be declared to ride in races following the expiration of the aforementioned period of suspension.
