TOP trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee and starter Michael Tibbatts must face a Jockey Club inquiry on Wednesday following their much-publicised row at last Friday's barrier trial session at Sha Tin. Since Friday's slanging match the trainers have signed a petition calling for Tibbatts to be removed from his position as starter. By yesterday at least eight jockeys had added their names to the list, headed by champion rider Basil Marcus and local hero, Tony Cruz. For his part, Tibbatts has lodged an official complaint about Kan's behaviour after his private purchase griffin Executive Action failed to enter the stalls for a trial. Yesterday, Philip Johnston, the Jockey Club's director of racing, confirmed: ''There will be an official inquiry on Wednesday into this incident at last Friday's barrier trials. ''At the moment no one has been charged. It is just an inquiry into the circumstances of the dispute.'' Chief stipendiary steward Bernard Hargreaves was present throughout the altercation between Kan and Tibbatts and later led the trainer away from the stalls. He is expected to give an eye-witness account at Wednesday's hearing where his independent evidence could be crucial. Irrespective of the outcome of Wednesday's hearing, the trainers are unrelenting in their call for Tibbatts to be replaced and a full-time starter employed. Yesterday, there was even talk of a race being boycotted, depending on how the Jockey Club respond to their request. Major General Guy Watkins, the Club's chief executive, said: ''Clearly it is an unsatisfactory situation when two such prominent racing figures are in dispute. It is something we will do our best to resolve.''
