HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO HOLD INQUIRY

Hong Kong Jockey Club stewards are reportedly to hold an inquiry into statements made by jockey Greg Childs after the running of last Sunday`s Hong Kong Mile which he won on Sunline.

Childs was quoted in a Sydney newspaper as having discussed tactics prior to the race with rival jockey Justin Sheehan, who rode third-placed Adam.

The Australian Associated Press website said that four other Hong Kong-based jockeys would be interviewed about the race.

The other riders are Douglas Whyte (New Trumps 4th), Basil Marcus (Charming City 7th), Weichong Marwing (Billion Win 6th) and Robbie Fradd (Fairy King Prawn 2nd).

'At this time, the stewards have no intention or indeed any reason to seriously consider rolling this inquiry out into one which involves any thoughts of so-called race fixing,' John Schreck, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Steward, said.

'The inquiry will centre around the alleged statements made by jockey G Childs and whether or not those comments or any approaches made by G Childs to J Sheehan constitute a breach of the Rules of Racing of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

'At this time, the stewards are intending to commence the inquiry at the Happy Valley Racecourse at 11am on the morning of Friday, 29 December 2000.'

In a further move, the Sydney Morning Herald today published a clarification to the original report, saying its journalist had misinterpreted the remarks. The newspaper apologised to both Childs and Sheehan.