The Hong Kong Jockey Club has set a firm date for the appeal by trainer Alex Wong Siu-tan against the severity of last week's two-month ban and appointed a new senior member of his stable staff. Wong's appeal against his licence suspension under Rule 50 (2), dealing with a trainer's responsibility for all that happens in the running of his stable, will be heard tomorrow week.
He was granted a stay of proceedings when he lodged the appeal on Saturday and will continue to train pending the appeal.
The club's Licensing Committee moved yesterday to appoint a new deputy assistant trainer and work rider to Wong's team to replace his assistant trainer Chris Cheung Ting-pong, who has also been suspended. Chow Hon-cheong has been granted a licence as deputy assistant trainer-work rider, with his appointment effective from last Sunday to March 13.
The appointment may answer the question of who would prepare Wong's horses during his suspension if the appeal is unsuccessful. However, Jockey Club executive director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said this in no way prejudged the appeal. 'Wong Siu-tan's assistant trainer, Chris Cheung, was suspended for a month also and he has chosen not to appeal against that decision,' Engelbrecht-Bresges pointed out. 'If Wong's appeal is successful, he is still going to need someone to replace Chris Cheung for that month so an appointment of this kind is necessary in any circumstances.'
Wong was put out last Friday for failing to report the bleeding attack of his horse Martial Hero after he galloped at trackwork on February 7. He was suspended until April 14 after pleading guilty to the charge.
