The Stewards today concluded the inquiry into C Schofield's handling of AMBITIOUS PINS in the Sing Woo Handicap which was run at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday, 15 February 2017. Further evidence was today taken from Jockey Schofield and evidence was taken from Mr R Gibson, the trainer of AMBITIOUS PINS, and Mr P C Ma, assistant trainer allocated to Mr Gibson's stable for the current racing season. A written authority for Mr Gibson to represent the interests of Mr Anderson Lam Hin Yue, the owner of AMBITIOUS PINS, at today's inquiry was tendered.
C Schofield was found guilty of a breach of Hong Kong Rule of Racing 99 (2) and (5) in that as the rider of AMBITIOUS PINS in the stated race, he failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure AMBITIOUS PINS was given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
The charge against Jockey Schofield was particularised as follows:-
- That passing the 300 Meres he did direct AMBITIOUS PINS inwards away from clear and uninterrupted running to the outside of MAGNETISM when it was both reasonable and permissible for him to have maintained such clear and uninterrupted running outside MAGNETISM.
- That near the 250 Metres he did further direct AMBITIOUS PINS to the inside of MAGNETISM and in so doing shifted AMBITIOUS PINS further away from clear and uninterrupted running outside MAGNETISM when it was both reasonable and permissible for him to have afforded AMBITIOUS PINS the opportunity of clear and uninterrupted running outside MAGNETISM.
- By directing AMBITIOUS PINS to the inside of MAGNETISM and away from clear and uninterrupted running outside that horse, AMBITIOUS PINS was held up for clear running behind EASY HEDGE approaching and passing the 200 Metres; and, further, AMBITIOUS PINS was unable to obtain clear running over about the final 100 Metres of the race. As a result of AMBITIOUS PINS being held up for clear running approaching and passing the 200 Metres and then being unable to obtain clear running over about the final 100 Metres of the race, the horse was not able to be properly tested.
- By directing AMBITIOUS PINS to the inside of MAGNETISM and away from clear and uninterrupted running outside that horse he did fail to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that AMBITIOUS PINS was given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
In the circumstances, the Stewards believed that the appropriate penalty was for Jockey Schofield's licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Wednesday, 8 March 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 6 April 2017 on which day he may resume race riding. During this period, there are 9 racemeetings scheduled to be conducted in Hong Kong.
Mr Gibson was advised that his evidence had been noted. Further, the Stewards accepted the reasons offered by Mr Gibson for him not being present at the Happy Valley Racecourse for this race.
