On Wednesday, 21 April 2021, the Stewards concluded an Inquiry in App K Hakim (pictured) returning to scale underweight as the rider of EXDREAM in the above-mentioned race, which was placed third and then subsequently disqualified. Evidence was taken from App Hakim, Trainer M Walker and Mr J Saimee who assisted App Hakim during the Inquiry.
After considering all the evidence, the Stewards were unable to determine with any level of certainty the reason for the underweight but they were satisfied that there was no attempt made by App Hakim to deceive the Weighing Room Officials. App Hakim was found guilty of a charge under MRA 121(2) which reads:
MRA Rule 121 (2)
If a jockey or Rider cannot draw the weight at which he weighed out the Clerk of the Scales shall allow him half a kilogramme and if he cannot then draw the weight his horse shall be disqualified, and the rider or any other person at fault may be punished.
The particulars being that he, as the rider of EXDREAM, which finishing in third position in Race 12, Class 4 Division 1 1200m on Sunday, 18 April 2021 did return to scale 600 grams under the declared weight resulting in EXDREAM being disqualified from its third placing.
When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into account the nature of the charge the reduction of scheduled Race Meetings programmed for the Singapore Turf Club in the immediate future and submissions from App Hakim that he has been engaged to ride at the Singapore Race Meeting on Saturday, 24 April 2021.
App Hakim was suspended from riding in races with effect from Sunday, 25 April 2021 to Sunday, 09 May 2021 both dates inclusive (two Singapore Race Days). In addition, he was fined a sum of S$5,000. He was advised of his Right of Appeal.
