Whoa... talk about a massive fine!
 

http://www.mjc.mo/race_en/info/news_...p?newsid=17847


MACAU JOCKEY CLUB STIPENDIARY STEWARDS INQUIRY REPORT
2012-07-12

The Stewards today concluded their inquiry into the analyst's finding regarding the post-race urine sample taken from FRANCIS (C142) subsequent to the horse racing in the SJM e c (Lisboa Challenge)(Listed) Race 7 (322) at Taipa on 22 April 2012.

During the course of the inquiry evidence was taken from Mr. G Moore, Trainer of FRANCIS who also represented the Owners of FRANCIS at this inquiry, Mr. Ao Lit Weng, a supervisor, Mr. Cheng Lirong a stable assistant, Mr. Lu Weidong a marfoo and riding boys Mr. Chen Qianhui and Mr. Mohamad Zubir Yeap Bin Abdulla. All attached to the G Moore stable. Evidence was also taken from Dr. Eugene Reynders, Senior Veterinary Surgeon of the Macau Jockey Club and Mr. John Moore horse Trainer licensed by the HKJC. Further evidence was also taken by teleconference form Dr. Thomas Tobin.

A written submission by Dr. Thoas Tobin was also provided to the inquiry on behalf of Mr. Moore.

The Racing Analytical Services Laboratory had previously advised the post-race urine sample taken from FRANCIS upon analysis had shown the presence of ATENOLOL. This finding was confirmed by the Singapore Turf Club Laboratory.

Dr. Reynders advised the inquiry that ATENOLOL is a prohibited substance in accordance with the Rules of Racing of The Macau Jockey Club.

Mr. Moore pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 51 (2)(6) in that he as the trainer of FRANCIS did present that horse to race at Taipa on 22 April 2012 when the said horse was not free of any prohibited substance.

In deciding this matter, the Stewards took into account the overall record of Mr. Moore during his 12 years as a licensed trainer with the Macau Jockey Club, his previous record in relation to breaches of the Rules relating to prohibited substances and submissions by Mr. Gary Moore in relation to a monetary penalty rather than action against his licence to train in Macau. Further it was considered that this breach had occurred in a Listed event.

Given these circumstances, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was that Mr. Moore be fined the sum of $500,000.HKD.

$500,000.HKD = roughly $64,460.in US dollars

Makes you wonder what things would be like if fines here were that big.

it would only take a few, wouldn't it?

Jockeys in Singapore are routinely suspended for a year or more, especially apprentices, if they fail to obtain the best placing for their mounts - now this tends to come after one or two previous suspensions - but a year is a BUNCH of work...

They would need to provide financing for 99% of trainers.

yep, that's true.
perhaps the fines should be based on %, rather than a flat fee?

There is no easy one size fits all answer because American racing has a wide disparity between the small tracks and big ones. Even at the top tracks the vast majority of trainers arent making big money.

yeah, i know it. it just seems that some trainers get in trouble over and over, and continue right along with what they've been doing. the penalties must do more than cause a temporary set-back, they've got to teach the offender, as well as everyone else, that the consequences are painful. they have to deter, not just cause a small, temporary inconvenience. a vacation as some tend to call suspensions.
if not fines, license suspensions and revocations.