kk lai - what a joke

[shadey]

I find it disgraceful that KK Lai was only given a suspension of 4 racing days for his ride on Mundahish. He pulled up 4 lengths away from the finishing post for no apparent reason. He was never under any pressure form another horse or did the horse have an unusual action. You can even see past the line how surprised Eric St. Martin was by how he looked in amazement that KK Lai did not push out his horse. To make matters worse Mundahish kept putting down his head in an act of trying to past Butterford. Mundahish never gave up; unfortunately, the same cannot be said about KK Lai.
In comparison, W.Woods was given 5 days for his ride on Electronic Seeker for exactly the same offence (Race 155). Fine, Woods pleaded not guilty but at least he felt that he had some sort of excuse that was worthy in his mind. KK Lai had nothing. Where did he learn to ride? His brief career has already been stained with controversy many times before and leniency will not help in. Neither will it improve the confidence of the punter in the HKJC stewards.
Regardless whether or not a jockey pleads guilty or not guilty, if the verdict by the stewards is guilty then a penalty should be exhibited without any leniency. You rather get the impression that as long as you plead guilty stewards will show some compassion. I mean if a man pleads not guilty to murder and his found guilty do you think the Judge will show any mercy? I certainly hope not, not for the sake of our society and the same goes here. In fact, this has rather become a trend with the HKJC stewards in how they commend jockeys for pleading guilty. What is the point? You do not commend someone for merely stating the truth. It is ridiculous.
KK Lai should get the same as W.Woods, 5 days suspension. Not 4. It does not matter if KK Lai is an apprentice. This is probably the most basic thing about horseracing. Ensure the best possible placing for your horse. He stopped. In fact, I urge the HKJC to investigate the real reason why KK Lai stopped. I am sure the ICAC could find something interesting.
In fact, I would appreciate if the stewards could explain to me how a suspension length is decided. Thanks in advance.

[shadey]

now read this, dont you think it's unfair???
Race No. 1 (615) TSANG TAI UK PLATE GRIFFINS 1000 METERS
After being loaded, LITTLE ELEPHANT became fractious, reared and
momentarily had a leg across a partition. LITTLE ELEPHANT was released from
the gates, examined by the Veterinary Surgeon who said in his opinion the horse
was suitable to race. Before running again, LITTLE ELEPHANT will be required
to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. After being boxed, FOREVER
CHARMING became fractious and reared. Before FOREVER CHARMING can
race again, it will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. SUPER
SUCCESS was fractious in the starting stalls and momentarily got down behind.
SUPER SUCCESS was taken from the stalls and examined by the Veterinary
Surgeon who said in his opinion the horse was suitable to race. Before SUPER
SUCCESS can run again, it will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test.
JOYFUL HEART was slowly away, was then further inconvenienced by
MONTEGO GREEN which on jumping brushed with FOREVER CHARMING,
then shifted in. WIN FORTUNE and ROMANTIC FORTUNE were slowly away.
On leaving the gates, WISDOM EXPRESS was inconvenienced by FIRST
KNIGHT which shifted in abruptly. E Legrix (KING OF FISH) pleaded guilty to
having breached Rule 100(2) in that he had failed to ride his mount out to the end of
the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. E Legrix was suspended from riding in
races for a period to expire on Monday 17 June 2002 on which day he may resume
race riding (5 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was
deferred until after the meeting next Wednesday 29 May 2002 at Sha Tin.
WINDFALLS was sent for clinical veterinary examination and testing. After the
race, it was noted that WINDFALLS was lame in its near side hind leg. Before the
horse can race again, it will be required to pass an official veterinary examination.

[Horny Harry]

Sorry Shadey...which part is the unfair bit?

[masun]

I think Shadey is referring to the following:
E Legrix (KING OF FISH) pleaded guilty to having breached Rule 100(2) in that he had failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. E Legrix was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 17 June 2002 on which day he may resume race riding (5 Hong Kong racedays).
From this and Wood's suspension that Shadey previously montioned, 5 days seem to be the standard penalty for failing to ride out a mount to the end of the race. Somehow KK Lai only got 4 days.
Apprentice K K Lai (MUNDAHISH), in the presence of his allocated trainer, Mr A T Millard, pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he had failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. Apprentice K K Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 10 June 2002 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays).
Same offence (breaching Rule 100(2)), different penalties. The only mitigating factor one can think of is that Lai is an apprentice. However, given the problems we had in the past with apprentices re race fixing, I am in favour of giving apprentices a heavier rather than lighter sentence. This should teach them not to pick up such awful habits so early in their career.
Re breaching Rule 100(2), the JC should make it a standard practice of referring all such cases to the ICAC and that the ICAC should make it a matter of routine to question all offenders. This should make the jockeys think twice before committing such a crime.
[ May 26, 2002: Message edited by: masun ]

[hobbes]

However, given the problems we had in the past with apprentices re race fixing, I am in favour of giving apprentices a heavier rather than lighter sentence. This should teach them not to pick up such awful habits so early in their career.
not a thought that has ocurred to me masun but i like the concept. would also like the trainers penalised where appropriate.

[shadey]

mansun you have interpreted my anger well
kk lai has such a bad history
does anybody remember that he was suspended for taking drugs? i think it was esctasy. also after being suspended he had his mobile phone confiscated by millard, so kk lai had the guts to go into his office and steal it back. this brought further shame to kk lai.
for sure this guy is corrupt as they come. he's also a lousy jockey. the HKJC is trying to help local boys but kk lai????

[hobbes]

shadey, i had forgotten the episodes you mention but if it was lai then his past history makes it a complete travesty of justice that he should get a lighter suspension than the senior jockeys. if he had a purer past history i could at least understand the lighter suspension but now i share your anger.

[shadey]

Finally justice is done, good riddance to bad rubbish. I feel sorry for Millard, who spent so much time training him to ride the s. african style. it would be a lot better watching chinese guys doing a shane dye all the time :)
The Committee CALLED Apprentice Cliff K K Lai to show cause why his licence should continue. Consideration was given to submissions from Apprentice Lai. Further, Apprentice Lai's disciplinary record, together with the transcript of evidence taken at the Stipendiary Stewards' Inquiries on 23 August and 6 September 2002 into Apprentice Lai's breach of the Apprentice Jockeys' hostel regulations were also considered. The Committee deliberated on this matter and having taken full account of all the evidence and submissions before them, DECIDED that Apprentice Lai had failed to show cause why his licence should continue and accordingly the licence of Apprentice Lai was withdrawn with immediate effect.

[JPD]

I dont want to make it sound as though I am spoiling the party, but what is all the fuss about K.K Lai and co. How significant is this "Kid" to racing and racing history? How many apprentices have we seen go down the same way he did?? Too many to count unfortunately......
I would like to see more articles or topics being discussed which are of more significance and can be referenced in the future and be useful information. That article on T.P Wong is useful as he is a guy whose words are of great significance being a trainer for many years in Hong Kong.
Also stop cut and pasting stewards reports. What a waste of space. These can be accessed freely on the internet, cum sun, cum rain, cum everyday.

[Scarper]

with all the internation superstars around the HKJC is always going to find it hard to develop local riders that dont look incompetent riding next to (or behind) them.
KK Lai was never going to keep up and when he stopped trying in some races it was clear he had to go.

[Horny Harry]

With all the xtra good new riders gaining licences in Hong Kong ( eg Cristoph) this Lai thinghy will soon be forgotten. He was a shocker and had no place in HK. I guess he will now become a member of a triad gang somewhere selling ivory and tiger skins to the locals. He will learn one day what an idiot he was not t take full advantage of a golden opportunity.

[fedora]

HOPEFULLY KK Lai will get a start in Macau now.

[hobbes]

Also stop cut and pasting stewards reports. What a waste of space. These can be accessed freely on the internet, cum sun, cum rain, cum everyday.
jpd -- BUT SOME OF US ARE NOT GOING TO BOTHER LOOKING THERE so i see no problem with posting the interesting ones here.

[Horny Harry]

JPD= K1?