Top local jockey Howard Cheng Yue-tin has been suspended for more than two months after an adjourned stewards' inquiry concluded last night prior to racing at Happy Valley.
The inquiry had been adjourned from Sha Tin races on October 12, when the Cheng-ridden Jun Ju came from near the tail of the field to finish fifth behind Ultimate Glory in the Silvermine Bay Handicap.
Stewards took exception to Cheng's handling of Jun Ju over the last 900m of the race and he was charged under Rule 99 (2) and 99(5), dealing with failing to take all reasonable and permissible measures to win the race or obtain the best possible placing.
It was Cheng's third offence in 10 years under the same rule - the most recent was a 13-meeting ban in 2012 - and stewards suspended him for 18 meetings, with the ban to take effect next Monday and Cheng will be allowed to ride in races again on January 5.
The only bigger penalty handed out this century was a six-month ban for Glyn Schofield in May 2004, which was later quashed on appeal.
Suspensions under this rule almost always take effect immediately unless a stay of proceedings is granted pending an appeal, but Cheng's penalty allowed for him to ride at the Valley last night and he will ride at Sha Tin on Sunday.
