31/01/2010  Shatin  Race 8

JACKPOT DELIGHT, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly and shortly after the start stumbled. FELLOWSHIP shifted in abruptly at the start, resulting in COLLECTION and THUMBS UP being crowded for room. B Prebble (SIGHT WINNER) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1500 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of ABLE ONE, resulting in that horse being taken in across the rightful running of EYSHAL which was crowded for room and restrained when losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled and in turn being taken in onto EGYPTIAN RA which was hampered. B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 11 February 2010 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting next Wednesday 3 February 2010. In addition, B Prebble was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. Passing the 1200 Metres, ABLE ONE was eased away from the heels of EGYPTIAN RA which shifted in. When questioned, C Soumillon said EGYPTIAN RA began awkwardly and then shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of SPECIAL DAYS which shifted out. He said passing the 1500 Metres EGYPTIAN RA was hampered by horses to its outside after which he allowed the horse to stride forward to obtain a forward position, however, SIGHT WINNER maintained its position to the inside of EGYPTIAN RA until near the 850 Metres at which time he was able to cross that horse. He said due to the amount of work EGYPTIAN RA had to do in the early stages to obtain the lead, the horse was then not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of EGYPTIAN RA after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of COLLECTION, D Beadman stated that passing the 800 Metres COLLECTION was bumped by THUMBS UP at which time COLLECTION became unbalanced in its action. He said after this COLLECTION did not travel as it normally does and was a beaten horse a long way from the finish. A veterinary inspection of COLLECTION after the race did not show any significant findings. Trainer J Moore was unable to offer any explanation for the performance of the horse as it had trained on particularly well since its most recent start and a forward showing was expected today. Mr Moore was advised that in the circumstances the performance of COLLECTION was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, COLLECTION will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GOOD BA BA, COLLECTION, FELLOWSHIP and THUMBS UP were sent for sampling.