Homer J.
24-08-2002, 04:05
Apprentices K K Lai & M W Leung
23 August 2002
During the week, the Stewards received a report from Racing Secretary, Mr Marco Cheng, regarding the conduct of Apprentices K K Lai and M W Leung. As a consequence of the report, an inquiry was conducted today at which time evidence was taken from Apprentice K K Lai, his allocated trainer, Mr A T Millard, from Apprentice M W Leung and his allocated trainer, Mr G Lane.
A written report from Trainer Phil Mcleod regarding Apprentice K K Lai's recent visit to Australia was also tabled as was a written report from Mr Bryce Tankard covering a recent visit to New Zealand by Apprentice M W Leung.
The report from Mr Mcleod was critical of the change in attitude of Apprentice K K Lai and also covered his poor work ethic. The report received from Mr Tankard was very complimentary of Apprentice M W Leung covering his behaviour both on and off the track.
Apprentice K K Lai pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct [Rule 57(8)] in that on 23 and again on 24 June 2002 he returned to the Apprentice Hostel at the Sha Tin Racecourse with a female companion without the permission of the Headmaster or the Stipendiary Stewards and accordingly was in breach of Apprentice Hostel Regulation 15. After considering all the circumstances including the disciplinary record of Apprentice K K Lai, which he himself acknowledged was unsatisfactory, the Stewards decided that his licence to ride in races be suspended for a period to expire on Friday 1 November 2002 (16 Hong Kong race days). He was also advised it is the intention of the Stewards to pass onto the Licensing Committee a full transcript of the inquiry together with a recommendation that they consider asking Apprentice K K Lai to show cause why his Apprentice Indentures with the Club should not be cancelled. Further Apprentice K K Lai was told he would not be permitted to participate in the Pre-season Carnival being conducted at the Sha Tin Racecourse tomorrow.
Apprentice M W Leung pleaded guilty to having breached Rule 57(8) in that on 24 June 2002 he misconducted himself by returning to the Apprentice Hostel at the Sha Tin Racecourse accompanied by a female companion. This was done without the permission of the Headmaster or the Stipendiary Stewards and accordingly Apprentice M W Leung was in breach of Apprentice Hostel Regulation 15. The riding licence of Apprentice M W Leung was suspended for a period to expire on Thursday 12 September 2002 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong race days). In addition thereto, the Stewards imposed a fine of $10,000 and further advised Apprentice M W Leung he would not be permitted to participate in the Pre-season Carnival at Sha Tin Racecourse tomorrow.
In deciding this penalty, the Stewards took into account pleas put on his behalf by Mr G Lane who went to great lengths to point out the excellent disciplinary record of Apprentice M W Leung. The guilty plea submitted by Apprentice M W Leung and his obvious contrition were also important factors.
23 August 2002
During the week, the Stewards received a report from Racing Secretary, Mr Marco Cheng, regarding the conduct of Apprentices K K Lai and M W Leung. As a consequence of the report, an inquiry was conducted today at which time evidence was taken from Apprentice K K Lai, his allocated trainer, Mr A T Millard, from Apprentice M W Leung and his allocated trainer, Mr G Lane.
A written report from Trainer Phil Mcleod regarding Apprentice K K Lai's recent visit to Australia was also tabled as was a written report from Mr Bryce Tankard covering a recent visit to New Zealand by Apprentice M W Leung.
The report from Mr Mcleod was critical of the change in attitude of Apprentice K K Lai and also covered his poor work ethic. The report received from Mr Tankard was very complimentary of Apprentice M W Leung covering his behaviour both on and off the track.
Apprentice K K Lai pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct [Rule 57(8)] in that on 23 and again on 24 June 2002 he returned to the Apprentice Hostel at the Sha Tin Racecourse with a female companion without the permission of the Headmaster or the Stipendiary Stewards and accordingly was in breach of Apprentice Hostel Regulation 15. After considering all the circumstances including the disciplinary record of Apprentice K K Lai, which he himself acknowledged was unsatisfactory, the Stewards decided that his licence to ride in races be suspended for a period to expire on Friday 1 November 2002 (16 Hong Kong race days). He was also advised it is the intention of the Stewards to pass onto the Licensing Committee a full transcript of the inquiry together with a recommendation that they consider asking Apprentice K K Lai to show cause why his Apprentice Indentures with the Club should not be cancelled. Further Apprentice K K Lai was told he would not be permitted to participate in the Pre-season Carnival being conducted at the Sha Tin Racecourse tomorrow.
Apprentice M W Leung pleaded guilty to having breached Rule 57(8) in that on 24 June 2002 he misconducted himself by returning to the Apprentice Hostel at the Sha Tin Racecourse accompanied by a female companion. This was done without the permission of the Headmaster or the Stipendiary Stewards and accordingly Apprentice M W Leung was in breach of Apprentice Hostel Regulation 15. The riding licence of Apprentice M W Leung was suspended for a period to expire on Thursday 12 September 2002 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong race days). In addition thereto, the Stewards imposed a fine of $10,000 and further advised Apprentice M W Leung he would not be permitted to participate in the Pre-season Carnival at Sha Tin Racecourse tomorrow.
In deciding this penalty, the Stewards took into account pleas put on his behalf by Mr G Lane who went to great lengths to point out the excellent disciplinary record of Apprentice M W Leung. The guilty plea submitted by Apprentice M W Leung and his obvious contrition were also important factors.