The Hong Kong Jockey Stewards on Friday interviewed licensed jockey Zac Purton regarding a tweet he acknowledged that he sent out on Thursday, 10 December 2020.
Zac Purton was found guilty of a charge of misconduct under Rule 155(5), the specifics of the charge being that he did send out a tweet on his twitter feed at about 6:35 pm on 10 December 2020 which said, “Has a jockey in Hong Kong just tested positive to Covid?”, such wording having the potential to create uncertainty regarding the continuance of racing in Hong Kong in the immediate future.
Having considered the circumstances of this case as well as Purton’s previous record in respect of misconduct related matters, the Stewards deemed the appropriate penalty be a fine of HK$40,000 (approx $9,000 AUD).
In other news jockey Vincent C Y Ho has reported to the Club a potential Covid-19 positive case in the building in which he resides. Ho does not reside in Club’s accommodation at Sha Tin Racecourse. Whilst it has not yet been confirmed that there is a confirmed case, Ho has moved out of his residence as a precaution until a date yet to be determined.
Ho will fulfil his race riding engagements at the Sha Tin racemeeting to be conducted on Sunday, 13 December 2020 with the established biosecurity protocols applicable to a jockey in these circumstances being observed. Ho will not ride track work tomorrow morning (Saturday, 12 December 2020).
