jb
15-02-2003, 12:22
Trainer Wong hit with two-month ban for failing to report a bleeder
Alan Aitken
Experienced trainer Alex Wong Siu-tan was yesterday banned for two months for failing to report a bleeding attack suffered by one of his horses.
Wong did not meet his obligation to report the bleeding attack of Martial Hero after he worked last Friday. He was suspended until April 14 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club stipendiary stewards after pleading guilty to a charge under Rule 50 (2), which reads: "Each trainer shall be responsible for all matters pertaining to the running of his stable including stable routine, the well-being and proper feeding and care of the horses in his care, security inside the stable and the work of the stable staff allocated to him."
The particulars of the charge were that Wong had failed to take reasonable measures to establish if Martial Hero had bled on February 7 after being alerted to it by his assistant trainer, Chris Cheung Ting-pong, three days later. Cheung also pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 12 (32), dealing with negligence on his part leading to a breach of the rules by Wong. He was suspended until March 14.
Stewards opened and later adjourned the inquiry on Wednesday night at Happy Valley races when they revealed photographic evidence showing Martial Hero with blood in his left side nostril on that morning.
Further evidence was taken yesterday from Wong, Cheung, stables supervisor Yip To-lo and stables assistant Leung Kwai-Chun who cares for Martial Hero, in addition to jockey Howard Cheng and senior veterinary surgeon Dr Keith Watkins.
Stewards accepted veterinary opinion of the evidence available, including the photograph and results of an endoscopic examination on Wednesday, that Martial Hero had bled.
The mid-season suspension of a trainer is unusual and believed to be the first penalty of that kind since the 1970s. Wong left Happy Valley without speaking to the press and thus gave no indication whether he would appeal the decision.
The stewards deferred commencement of the suspensions until after tomorrow's meeting to ensure the welfare of horses under Wong's care. He has until noon on Tuesday to appeal, but if he does so this morning and gains a stay of proceedings, he will be permitted to declare horses for Wednesday night.
"He has his right of appeal like everyone, so I don't think it is fair to consider at this stage what will happen to his horses during that two months, except to say that of course someone will be appointed to care for them if the owners do not choose to move them," said Jockey Club director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
If he serves the term of penalty, Wong will regain his licence for the final months of the season. However, the ban adds to a record of stable management problems for Wong in the past two years. Last month, he was fined $150,000 for a positive swab returned by Winmark when that horse was scratched from a race late last year as his pre-race test showed a prohibited substance.
Two years ago, he was fined $100,000 under the same rule after a trackwork accident which left a work rider in a coma. "It is unusual to suspend a trainer during the season, but with this his third offence under the rule in two years, there was the feeling that there seems to be some structural problem within the stable," Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
In addition, Wong's horses have struggled on the track, with just five wins on the board for the term and needing another seven to meet the club's performance criteria.
Engelbrecht-Bresges would not be drawn on Wong's future, but pointed out that licences were issued to trainers on an annual basis. "We would not want to pre-judge anybody, but it is a fact that every trainer must re-apply each season for his licence. And, obviously, the Licensing Committee will take into account all aspects of every application, including past disciplinary records."
Martial Hero will be compulsorily retired as it was his second bleeding attack.
Alan Aitken
Experienced trainer Alex Wong Siu-tan was yesterday banned for two months for failing to report a bleeding attack suffered by one of his horses.
Wong did not meet his obligation to report the bleeding attack of Martial Hero after he worked last Friday. He was suspended until April 14 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club stipendiary stewards after pleading guilty to a charge under Rule 50 (2), which reads: "Each trainer shall be responsible for all matters pertaining to the running of his stable including stable routine, the well-being and proper feeding and care of the horses in his care, security inside the stable and the work of the stable staff allocated to him."
The particulars of the charge were that Wong had failed to take reasonable measures to establish if Martial Hero had bled on February 7 after being alerted to it by his assistant trainer, Chris Cheung Ting-pong, three days later. Cheung also pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 12 (32), dealing with negligence on his part leading to a breach of the rules by Wong. He was suspended until March 14.
Stewards opened and later adjourned the inquiry on Wednesday night at Happy Valley races when they revealed photographic evidence showing Martial Hero with blood in his left side nostril on that morning.
Further evidence was taken yesterday from Wong, Cheung, stables supervisor Yip To-lo and stables assistant Leung Kwai-Chun who cares for Martial Hero, in addition to jockey Howard Cheng and senior veterinary surgeon Dr Keith Watkins.
Stewards accepted veterinary opinion of the evidence available, including the photograph and results of an endoscopic examination on Wednesday, that Martial Hero had bled.
The mid-season suspension of a trainer is unusual and believed to be the first penalty of that kind since the 1970s. Wong left Happy Valley without speaking to the press and thus gave no indication whether he would appeal the decision.
The stewards deferred commencement of the suspensions until after tomorrow's meeting to ensure the welfare of horses under Wong's care. He has until noon on Tuesday to appeal, but if he does so this morning and gains a stay of proceedings, he will be permitted to declare horses for Wednesday night.
"He has his right of appeal like everyone, so I don't think it is fair to consider at this stage what will happen to his horses during that two months, except to say that of course someone will be appointed to care for them if the owners do not choose to move them," said Jockey Club director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
If he serves the term of penalty, Wong will regain his licence for the final months of the season. However, the ban adds to a record of stable management problems for Wong in the past two years. Last month, he was fined $150,000 for a positive swab returned by Winmark when that horse was scratched from a race late last year as his pre-race test showed a prohibited substance.
Two years ago, he was fined $100,000 under the same rule after a trackwork accident which left a work rider in a coma. "It is unusual to suspend a trainer during the season, but with this his third offence under the rule in two years, there was the feeling that there seems to be some structural problem within the stable," Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
In addition, Wong's horses have struggled on the track, with just five wins on the board for the term and needing another seven to meet the club's performance criteria.
Engelbrecht-Bresges would not be drawn on Wong's future, but pointed out that licences were issued to trainers on an annual basis. "We would not want to pre-judge anybody, but it is a fact that every trainer must re-apply each season for his licence. And, obviously, the Licensing Committee will take into account all aspects of every application, including past disciplinary records."
Martial Hero will be compulsorily retired as it was his second bleeding attack.