Racing body fines MJC for Hagdang Bato fiasco

MANILA, Philippines - The Board of Commissioners of the Philippine Racing Commission has fined the Manila Jockey Club P50,000 for negligence and in violation of horse racing rules and regulations following the incident that marred the campaign of champion horse Hagdang Bato during the 41st Presidential Gold Cup two weeks ago.

In its decision dated Dec. 11, the PRC said the MJC is culpable of negligence for its faulty starting gate that tripped outstanding favorite Hagdang Bato, eventually causing him to lose the race.

Horse owner and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos urged the PRC to conduct a formal investigation on the matter in the interest of the racing public.

During the hearing conducted by the PRC last Dec. 9, official footages of the race showed Hagdang Bato fumble at the start after the gate (No. 4) swung back and hit the champion horse, nearly causing the horse and jockey JB Hernandez to fall. The incident proved costly for the outstanding favorite who never recovered and limped home fourth in a race he was expected to dominate.

Longshot Pugad Lawin went on to win the 2,000-m event.

It was also established during the hearing that the gate used during the race was a renovated one and constructed way back in the 1960s. The gate was only used during the race, while newer ones were employed in all other races.

Likewise, a fine of P10,000 was also imposed on racing manager Jose Ramon Magboo for committing violation on rules and regulations under PR4-B7 for the second time around, while a 10-day suspension starting on Jan. 2, 2014 was handed to the entire Board of Stewards Johnny Cruz, Jose Fernandez III, Joselito Zabat, Rafael Delas Cagigas, and Jesus Villanueva.

The decision said the Board of Stewards should have been alert and should have applied the duties and powers of the stewards under No. 20 of PR5-D, authorizing them to annul any race before horse have reached the finish line by reason of a bad start or any other incident that may warrant such action.

Abalos admitted feeling vindicated and lauded the decision of the PRC not just for the sake of his horse and jockey JV Hernandez, but for the entire “Bayang Karerista” whom he said deserved to know the truth.

But at the same time, he said the unfortunate incident also denied the champion horse a place in the Presidential Gold Cup history as Hagdang Bato was trying to become only the fifth horse to win the race in back-to-back fashion.