The Stewards today concluded two adjourned inquiries emanating out of Race 6, the Sutherland Handicap which was conducted at the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 9 November 2016.
N Rawiller (INVENTOR) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the winning post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of DASHING KING, resulting in that horse being taken in onto CLOUD NINE which in turn crowded SURE PEACE, causing SURE PEACE to be checked and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In the circumstances, the Stewards believed that the appropriate penalty was for N Rawiller’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Thursday, 5 January 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 12 January 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, N Rawiller was fined $60,000. The Stewards ruled that this suspension is to be served cumulatively with the two periods of suspension incurred by Jockey Rawiller at the Happy Valley racemeeting conducted on Wednesday, 16 November 2016.
C Schofield (CLOUD NINE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of DASHING KING, causing that horse to be badly crowded for room inside DINOZZO and strike the heels of CLOUD NINE, resulting in DASHING KING falling and Apprentice H N Wong, the rider of that horse, being dislodged. GENERAL SHERMAN, which was following, was severely checked as was MR PELE which was unable to avoid DASHING KING and as a result blundered, causing its rider, U Rispoli, to be dislodged. ACTUARIAT, INDUSTRIALIST WAY and PREMIUM CHAMPION were also severely hampered in consequence. In the circumstances, the Stewards believed that the appropriate penalty was for C Schofield’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Monday, 5 December 2016 and to expire on Thursday, 5 January 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (8 Hong Kong racedays).
