Veteran jockey has to Sit out five weeks for failing drug test

Jockey Vincent Sit Shun-keung has been suspended for five race meetings after pleading guilty to a positive drug test containing excess amounts of the banned drug ephedrine.

While stewards believe Sit's urine sample, provided at the April 4 meeting, was consistent with medication for a viral complaint, the 33-year-old was suspended for breaching rule 60 (1) and for failing to check the contents of his medications.

'He made no inquiries into whether the medications he was taking contained any prohibited substances,' chief steward Kim Kelly said. 'As such he breached part one of rule 60 and was suspended for five race meetings.' and cannot resume until after May 6.'

In October, Alex Lai Hoi-wing tested positive to methylephedrine in similar circumstances and was suspended for a month, but that was reduced to five meetings on appeal. Kelly took this into account in determining Sit's penalty.

'We were mindful of the appeal panel's previous view that eight race meetings was too harsh, but the stewards also wrote to all jockeys after that incident last year to remind them of their responsibility to have all medications checked for any prohibited substances,' Kelly said.