Van Gestel backs his system as Hong Kong's careless riding bans skyrocket

South China Morning Post

13-02-2025

Numbers are tracking at a rate that would mark a 46 per cent year-on-year increase after 55 suspensions through the first 45 meetings
by Sam Agars on Thursday, February 13, 2025 6:28 PM Jockey Club chief steward Marc van Gestel. Photos: Kenneth Chan
Chief steward Marc van Gestel is confident it is simply the competitive nature of Hong Kong racing rather than any lenience in his special penalty system that has caused the number of careless riding suspensions to skyrocket this season.
While careless riding bans in Hong Kong were decreasing, dropping from 84 in 2020-21 to 63 in 2022-23, the numbers have been increasing since Van Gestel introduced a system at the start of last season offering discounts on bans and fines for good records.
While previously the standard penalty for careless riding was two meetings with increasing fines for repeat offenders, one-meeting bans are now much more common.
After 74 careless riding suspensions last season, there have been 55 bans through the first 45 meetings of this campaign – numbers that would mark a 46 per cent year-on-year increase if they continue through until the end of the campaign.
Van Gestel and Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding addressed the riding ranks on the matter last weekend 'to reinforce that we do feel there's some scope for some greater care to be taken'.
'Last season we were exceptionally happy with how that new system worked but this season the instances have been a little higher than we would have liked,' said Van Gestel, who replaced Kim Kelly as chief steward in February 2023.
'That's why we spoke to them before the first on Sunday, just to get them to understand we had concerns because the numbers are a bit higher. It's certainly increased and it's something we thought necessary to address with the group.'
One theory around the increase in numbers is that some jockeys are less concerned about attracting the attention of stewards in the knowledge they'll likely only be sidelined for one meeting, but Van Gestel confirmed he will not be considering any changes to his system.
'I don't think that's the reason and the riders who have a good record have maintained that good record,' said Van Gestel.
'Jockeys like [Zac] Purton and [Brenton] Avdulla, who haven't been charged this season, are continuing to ride safely.
'I think it's come down to the competitive environment we're in and some jockeys are probably just overstepping the mark. I don't think it's anything to do with the system.
'What our statistics show is that 50 per cent of instances occur in the home straight, which is essentially where the riders are trying to go onto win or run a placing in the race.' Shinn retains Patch ride
Blake Shinn will stay aboard Galaxy Patch for the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) on February 23 after connections had planned to make a switch to seven-time Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton.
With Purton sidelined after breaking his big toe in last weekend's scary three-horse pile up at Sha Tin, Shinn will partner the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained Galaxy Patch for a fourth time after piloting him into second behind Voyage Bubble in last month's Group One Stewards' Cup (1,600m).
Galaxy Patch was one of a number of big names to step out at the Sha Tin trials on Thursday morning, running home nicely into third over 1,200m on the all-weather track. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 13, 2025
Galaxy Patch's chief Gold Cup rival, Voyage Bubble, also stretched his legs, finishing third behind Helios Express and Ensued in a trial which also featured Red Lion and Beauty Eternal.
Ensued is also among the Gold Cup entries, as is Chancheng Glory, Encountered, Five G Patch, Happy Together, La City Blanche, Straight Arron, Sword Point and Winning Dragon.
Thursday morning's third and final trial was taken out by Howdeepisyourlove as he tunes up for his clash with Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) on the same day as the Gold Cup.
Also heading towards the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup are Helios Express, Red Lion, Beauty Eternal, Beauty Joy, California Spangle, Invincible Sage, Mugen and Patch Of Theta.