The Stewards today continued their inquiry into Apprentice K K Chiong's riding of DOYENI in the Home Straight in the Lotus Handicap which was run at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 21 May 2017. Further evidence was today taken from Apprentice Chiong with evidence also being taken from Mr K W Lui, allocated trainer of Apprentice Chiong, and Mr A S Cruz, trainer of DOYENI. A written authority for Mr Cruz to represent the interests of Ms Yeoh Saw Kheng, the owner of DOYENI, at today's inquiry was tendered.
Apprentice Chiong was charged with having breached Hong Kong Rule of Racing 99 (2) and (5) in that as the rider of DOYENI in the stated race, she did fail to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that DOYENI was given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
The charge against Apprentice Chiong was particularised as follows:-
1. That after passing the 400 Metres she did direct DOYENI outwards away from clear and uninterrupted running between RODRICO and NASSA when it was both reasonable and permissible for her to have improved into such clear and uninterrupted running.
2. That after directing her mount away from such clear and uninterrupted running between RODRICO and NASSA, DOYENI was held up behind NASSA approaching and passing the 300 Metres.
3. That after being shifted to the outside of the heels of NASSA after passing the 300 Metres, she did fail to improve into clear and uninterrupted running between that horse and SEASONS BLOOM when it was both reasonable and permissible for her to have done so.
4. That after failing to improve between NASSA and SEASONS BLOOM after passing the 300 Metres, she did then permit DOYENI to shift out behind SEASONS BLOOM approaching and passing the 200 Metres, causing DOYENI to be held up and awkwardly placed behind that horse.
5. That by riding DOYENI in the manner in which she did from after passing the 400 Metres until after passing the 200 Metres, she did fail to take all reasonable and permissible measures to ensure that DOYENI was given a full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible placing in the field.
Apprentice Chiong pleaded not guilty and was granted an adjournment to allow her to prepare a defence to the charge. Accordingly, the matter was adjourned until a date and time to be fixed.
