HK stews tough

[my miss storm cat]

update, FoxsportsAU.....

Jailed jockey home in three weeks
By Ray Thomas
August 31, 2007 JAILED Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Chris Munce will be escorted by two guards when he returns to Australia next month after a prisoner exchange deal was successfully negotiated with Hong Kong.

Sources confirmed that Munce will be home within "the next two to three weeks".

The deal between the Federal Government, the New South Wales Government and Hong Kong authorities was finalised recently and Munce is likely to serve the remainder of his sentence in a NSW minimum-security prison.

The only stumbling block was who would foot the bill for two NSW Correctional Services Officers required to be flown to Hong Kong and escort Munce back to Sydney.

The Iemma Government baulked at the estimated $10,000 cost as it felt taxpayers should not have to pay for Munce's prisoner exchange.

It is believed Munce's wife, Cathy, subsequently raised the necessary funds and has forwarded payment.

Munce, the 37-year-old Sydney father of three young children, has been held in a Hong Kong prison since March, sentenced to 30 months for his involvement in a tips-for-bets scam after a Hong Kong ICAC investigation.

Federal Justice and Customs Minister Senator David Johnston and NSW Justice Minister John Hatzistergos successfully negotiated Munce's prisoner transfer deal.

Australia has a bilateral treaty with Hong Kong for the transfer of sentenced persons, which entered into force in Australia in April last year.

Hatzistergos said last month he was influenced in making a decision in Munce's favour as he believed the jockey had more chance of rehabilitation if allowed to serve the rest of his jail term closer to family in Australia.

"Prisoners are more likely to be rehabilitated when they can serve out the remainder of their sentence supported by their family and friends," Hatzistergos said.

"These considerations are especially apparent in this case."

There has been a lot of sympathy for Munce and his family since the jockey was sentenced in Hong Kong.

In most racing jurisdictions around the world, Munce's actions would be interpreted as a breach of racing law and would not have been tried in a civil court. Prosecutors claimed during the trial that Munce provided tips to Hong Kong businessman Andy Lau 17 times covering races involving 29 horses from December 2005 to May 2006.

[my miss storm cat]

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/n...ws20070901.asp

[my miss storm cat]

The eagle has landed. Munce is back at home...

I mean in custody, but he's home.

[sumitas]

he broke their law by having $37k in his pants. no wonder he'll do the time.

[my miss storm cat]

In the spirit of the original thought of the thread...

(... and to update, Munce is out and riding while the after-effects are snowballing but that's another story), I realize not everyone reads international but was a little surprised that no one commented on this (so thought I'd post it here)...

Keeping in mind the exchange rate is about 8HK dollars for each US dollar...


(excerpt, incident report)

2. Fines
Race 4: Coumillon (THE BOGBERRY): $40,000 for careless riding near the 100 Metres.

Race 8: G Gomez (OUT OF CONTROL): $80,000 for careless riding at the 1600 Metres.

Coumillon (BULLISH LUCK): $40,000 for careless riding at about the 50 Metres.

3. Severe Reprimands
Race 4: D McDonogh (MORES WELLS) and D Beadman (DOURO VALLEY) for shifting in approaching the 2200 Metres.

Race 9: C Soumillon (STILTON) for shifting in for some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres.

4. Warnings
Race 2: D Beadman (CRAIG DRAGON) for shifting in passing the 900 Metres.

Race 4: D Beadman (DOURO VALLEY) for shifting in approaching the 2000 Metres.

5. Suspensions
Race 4: C Soumillon (THE BOGBERRY) for careless riding near the 100 Metres (22 December 2008 ?5 January 2009 on which day he may resume race riding ?3 Hong Kong racedays).

Race 8: G Gomez (OUT OF CONTROL) for careless riding at the 1600 Metres (15 ?21 December 2008 on which day he may resume race riding ?2 Hong Kong racedays).

I Mendizabal (TRINCOT) for careless riding near the 600 Metres (15 December 2008 ?2 January 2009 on which day he may resume race riding ?4 Hong Kong racedays).

C Soumillon (BULLISH LUCK) for careless riding at about the 50 Metres (5 ?15 January 2009 on which day he may resume race riding ?3 Hong Kong racedays).

I just thought it was interesting.

[sumitas]

Just toss out the cheaters . They can be replaced . It's racing's own fault it has these problems .

[my miss storm cat]

Additional fine for Shea...

From South Africa Racing.

HK CUP: SHEA'S COSTLY SOFT DRINK DRAMA
(no author listed)

The Stewards today interviewed K Shea, the rider of EAGLE MOUNTAIN, regarding his consuming fluid following the race and prior to having weighed in. Also interviewed today was starting gate handler, Mr C Peddie.

The Stewards viewed video footage of EAGLE MOUNTAIN returning to scale following the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup which showed K Shea being handed a bottle of soft drink by Mr Peddie. It also showed K Shea took a sip of this drink prior to returning the bottle to Mr Peddie. This was done while K Shea was still mounted on EAGLE MOUNTAIN and prior to him weighing in. K Shea explained that following the race his mouth was dry and when he noticed Mr Peddie had a bottle of soft drink in his hand he requested Mr Peddie hand him the drink so he was able to moisten his mouth. Mr Peddie confirmed that he only handed the soft drink to K Shea after being requested to do so and said he did not consider the possible consequences of his actions.

The Stewards also viewed video footage of K Shea weighing out to ride EAGLE MOUNTAIN in this race which showed his weight to be 126.2 lbs. Under the conditions of the race EAGLE MOUNTAIN was required to carry 126 lbs in this race. The video footage of K Shea weighing in following the race was also viewed which showed his weight to be 126.2 lbs. These weights were confirmed by a computer printout of the weights of all riders in the race. This printout is generated by the scales.

On the evidence before them, the Stewards were satisfied that EAGLE MOUNTAIN had carried its correct weight when competing in and winning the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup. K Shea was told his actions in consuming liquid, regardless of the quantity, following the race and prior to weighing in were inappropriate. He was fined the sum of $5,000.

The Starter will be instructed to speak to all starting gate handlers and tell them that they are not to make contact with riders on raceday other than in the course of their starting gate duties.