Three Jockeys Banned, Four Others Fined

All the nine jockeys who took part in the "Adabraka Purse", the main event on the fourth day of the Whitsun meeting at the Accra Race Course at the weekend were summoned by the Race Meeting Stewards for questioning, writes DAN RANA.

And seven of them were handed punishment ranging from fines to suspension after the seven-furlongs outing for Third division "A" horses was won by African Queen with veteran jockey Joe Sackey.

The highest penalty — a four month ban — was slapped on I. Sulley who rode Mawueli for pulling his mount.

Two apprentice jockeys — M. Yahya, who rode No Escape and E. Oblitey on Lion Heart — were also suspended for three racing days for not trying their mounts.

Jockeys R. Nettey on Achimota, D. Kotey on Silverno and I. Amadu on The Best were fined ?50,000 each for also not trying their mounts.

Incidentally, Joe Sackey who rode home African Queen was also fined ?20,000 for indecent ridding. The only two jockeys freed were F. Ofori on Hay Boy and E. Dery on King of Hart.

Mawueli got off to a good start in the race and set a nice pace hotly chased by African Queen with the other runners just making grounds.

Surprisingly, Mawueli fell out of the race and African Queen took the lead and ran on levelly to the finish. Mawueli was later spotted finishing strongly to the disappointment of punters.

Below are the detailed results: 1st race: (Novice) 5 Furs. 1. Full Time, M. Saddy 2. Linda, M. Ibrahim 3. Sarafina, E. Oblitey Time; 1 min. 15 secs. Tote: ?1,700.

2nd race: was cancelled due to insufficient entries. 3rd race: (4C) 8 Furs. 1. Flimor Mi Eko, S. T. Madu 2. Tico, S. Musa 3. Treasured Jewel, E. Oblitey Time; 2 mins. 15 secs Tote: ?1,400.

4th race: (3A) 7 Furs. 1. African Queen, Joe Sackey 2. Silverno, D. Kotey 3. The Best, I. Amadu Time; 1 min. 53 secs. Tote: ?1,500.

5th race: (3B & 4A) 6 Furs. 1. Rabbat, O. Lamptey 2. Me And You, D. Kotey 3. Macarena Queen, Joe Sackey Time; 1 min 55secs. Tote: ?1,600