Childs fined £25,000 over Hong Kong tactics

Greg Childs was yesterday fined £25,000 sterling after an inquiry into allegations of collusion prior to the Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin.

He was found guilty of "conduct prejudicial to the good reputation of horse racing" in the province but cleared of any dishonest practice.

The stewards were looking into a newspaper report that before riding the front-running Sunline in the Mile, Childs spoke to Justin Sheehan, who partnered Adam, and suggested he follow him rather than battle for the lead and "cut each other's throats".

The Australian jockey was charged with speaking to Sheehan in an attempt to ensure he rode in a manner not prejudicial to Sunline - who won the Group One race by a short head, with Adam another four and a half lengths away in third.

He was also charged with making his conversation public to people including journalists.

Childs denied making the alleged remarks but admitted speaking to Sheehan before the race and speaking socially off-the-record with a Melbourne journalist and two others in a nearby hotel in the evening.

After taking evidence from several jockeys and trainers involved in the Mile and looking into Adam's previous efforts the stewards concluded there was no collusion.

Sheehan was found to have ridden his mount "in a manner typical of the horse's racing pattern".

The stewards stressed there was no evidence to suggest "even in the slightest way" that the Mile was subject to corrupt practices.

But the pre-race discussion of tactics and its divulgence to a journalist are contrary to the rules in Hong Kong so a fine was imposed on Childs, who had specifically requested a financial penalty rather than a riding ban.