04/03/2012  Shatin  Race 1

NEWSWIRE TOO and SUCCESSFUL ERA began awkwardly. Near the 1300 Metres, SPEED RACER got its head on the side and shifted in across the heels of VIVA DOLPHIN after racing tight inside CHEERFUL DOUBLE (Apprentice K C Ng) which shifted in after itself being awkwardly placed inside the heels of BIG WINNER AGAIN (N Callan) which was shifting in. As there were some circumstances to this incident, no further action was taken, however, Apprentice Ng and N Callan were both advised to ensure that they leave comfortable racing room for runners to their inside in similar circumstances. H W Lai (MEGABUCKS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1000 Metres he excessively slowed the tempo on MEGABUCKS which was leading the race, resulting in GLITTERING and TELECOM NEW STAR being severely checked. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that H W Lai had recently been severely reprimanded for similar riding and that there were a number of horses affected by his riding at this time of the race. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 2 April 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Wednesday, 21 March 2012. In addition, H W Lai was fined $20,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. When TELECOM NEW STAR was checked, NEWSWIRE TOO checked off the heels of that horse and in doing so shifted out into tight running between TELECOM NEW STAR and VIVA DOLPHIN which itself was racing to the inside of BIG WINNER AGAIN. A short distance later, NEWSWIRE TOO was severely checked when unable to maintain its position between TELECOM NEW STAR and VIVA DOLPHIN. MISTER HORSE and SPEED RACER, which were following, were checked in consequence and CHEERFUL DOUBLE, which was racing to the outside of SPEED RACER, was taken wider by that horse. After the 800 Metres, GLITTERING got its head on the side and hung out. Approaching the 200 Metres, NEWSWIRE TOO was steadied and shifted in away from the heels of TELECOM NEW STAR. For the majority of the race, SUCCESSFUL ERA travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground noticeably. After the race, B Prebble reported that at no stage of today’s race did SUCCESSFUL ERA’s action feel comfortable and, in his opinion, its action deteriorated as the race progressed. He added that, in his opinion, SUCCESSFUL ERA was sore after the race. A veterinary inspection of SUCCESSFUL ERA after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had sustained a mild abrasion to the inside of the right front fetlock. The performance of SUCCESSFUL ERA was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUCCESSFUL ERA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of VIVA DOLPHIN, W M Lai stated that the horse became badly unbalanced in an incident after the 900 Metres when bumped heavily on the hindquarters by the runner to its inside. He said after this VIVA DOLPHIN did not travel and then did not finish off the race. He said he had ridden VIVA DOLPHIN in its work and in a barrier trial leading up to today’s race and that work and the barrier trial, in his opinion, had been satisfactory. Trainer T K Ng stated that, in his opinion, the performance of VIVA DOLPHIN could be attributed to it becoming unbalanced in the middle stages and he feels that VIVA DOLPHIN is not able to overcome difficulties in running. He said he agreed with Jockey Lai’s opinion that the work of VIVA DOLPHIN and the barrier trial that the horse participated in on 17 February 2012 were satisfactory by this horse’s standard. A veterinary inspection of VIVA DOLPHIN after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of VIVA DOLPHIN, a favourite for today’s race and which weakened badly in the Straight, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, VIVA DOLPHIN will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that LINKED WIN had lost its right front plate. VIVA DOLPHIN, SUPER PEPPER and GLITTERING were sent for sampling.