Jockey R. Shafiq has fallen foul of the stewards once again, having been charged with failing to ride to their satisfaction for the second time in six weeks at Selangor.
This latest charge follows a two-month suspension he received for his ride on ARC TRIUMPH on Sunday, May 5. That suspension was subsequently reduced to one month after a successful appeal.
Last Thursday, the panel of stewards at the Selangor Turf Club concluded an inquiry into the running and handling of SEMANTAN PRINCE, who placed seventh in the Race 6 of the card on June 15. They took evidence from Jockey R. Shafiq and Trainer S. Dunderdale, the rider and trainer of SEMANTAN PRINCE, respectively.
The Stewards reviewed footage of the incident and considered the evidence presented. Jockey R. Shafiq, the rider of SEMANTAN PRINCE, was found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 44(10) for failing to ride to the satisfaction of the Stewards. The particulars of the charge state that in Race 6 on June 15, 2024, at the Selangor Turf Club, he failed to meet the required standards for the following reasons:
- Despite having the opportunity to shift outside runners and into the clear, entering the straight, he shifted his mount in against its winning pattern, despite there being no clear running for him and multiple horses ahead racing in the running line and/or near the inside rail;
- When a run appears for him leaving the 550M, between the 550M and the 150M, his riding was passive, non-vigorous, lacking in intent and a deviation from the norm; and
- Throughout the straight, he failed to and/or at the very least attempt to obtain a position for his mount which affords it the best opportunity to obtain clear running. With the consequences of such positioning being that SEMANTAN PRINCE became baulked for a clear run inside the 150M and races to the line untested and not fully extended.
In assessing the penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Jockey R. Shafiq’s mitigating factors, his previous riding record, and his submissions regarding the penalty. He was suspended from riding in races for a period of two months, effective from July 24, 2024, to September 23, 2024, both dates inclusive, to be served consecutively with any other penalty. He was informed of his right to appeal.
