Fallon can't ride in Hong Kong

The stewards of the Hong Kong Jockey Club ruled on Monday to deny Kieren Fallon a license to ride there, saying their decision is in keeping with the club's policy of not issuing licenses to riders who are the subject of law inforcement investigations.

Fallon, who has been charged with scheming to defraud bettors in Britain, will now be unable to ride the Aidan O'Brien-trained Scorpion in the Hong Kong Vase on Hong Kong International Races Day, Dec. 10. Now banned from riding in Britain, the United States, Canada, and Hong Kong, Fallon is still allowed to ride in Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Australia. Fallon denies the charges.

Shortly before the Nov. 7 Melbourne Cup in Australia, Fallon, 41, said that he would consider retirement if his legal situation was not soon expedited. He fears that the Aidan O'Brien-John Magnier Ballydoyle yard for which he rides first string cannot justify maintaining its relationship with him if he cannot ride in every jurisdiction in the world.

In other Hong Kong news, Alain de Royer-Dupre has decided not to send three-time Group 1-winning 3-year-old filly Mandesha to Sha Tin for the Hong Kong Cup, a race in which the French trainer will still saddle Pride. Mandesha will be rested for a 4-year-old campaign in Europe.

Freedonia and Swift Current, also-rans in Sunday's Japan Cup, have also been withdrawn from the Hong Kong Vase and Cup, respectively, but Japan Cup third-place finisher Ouija Board is on target for the 1 1/2-mile Vase, which will be her career finale.

The three American participants at Sha Tin on International Races Day will be Fast Parade in the six-furlong Sprint, and Becrux and Rebel Rebel in the Mile.