12/05/2012  Shatin  Race 7

AFRICA LIGHT was slow to begin. GRAND DANCER and LORD DRAGON bumped at the start. Shortly after the start, SHINING TREASURES was crowded for room between AL PRINCE and LUCKY CHEVALIER which was taken in by JOHN DORY. O Doleuze (LORD DRAGON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of JOYFUL WINNER II which was checked and in turn taken in onto SMART FORTUNE which was taken in across the rightful running of LUCKY CHEVALIER which blundered after having to be checked. Also in this incident, SMART FORTUNE shifted in due to pressure to its outside and made contact with TELECOM SUPER STAR which became unbalanced. O Doleuze was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 31 May 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Singapore Turf Club racemeeting on Sunday, 20 May 2012. In addition, O Doleuze was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. After the 900 Metres, SYDNEY POWER was left racing wide and without cover. After the 200 Metre, SYDNEY POWER was steadied away from the heels of SAMADHI which shifted out slightly. After the 100 Metres, AFRICA LIGHT was steadied when disappointed for running between JOHN DORY and SOLAR BOY which shifted in. Because of this, AFRICA LIGHT was not able to be properly tested over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding the improver performance of SAMADHI, Trainer K L Man stated that in its four starts in Hong Kong in Class 3, SAMADHI had been gradually improving. He said following its most recent start, the rider of that horse, H W Lai, recommended to him that he considered stepping the horse up in distance as Jockey Lai felt that SAMADHI would benefit from getting over some ground. He said it may have also been relevant that SAMADHI had drawn wide in all of its previous starts in Hong Kong, but had drawn barrier 1 today. He said following its most recent start he removed the hood from SAMADHI as he felt that the horse, which had been a fractious type on arrival in Hong Kong, had improved and no longer required the use of the hood. He said he advised the owners of SAMADHI that given the horse’s gradual improvement and the fact that it was down in grade today, he felt that the horse may be an outside chance of being placed in today’s race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of LORD DRAGON, O Doleuze stated that he was able to obtain a good position in the run one horse off the fence behind SYDNEY POWER. He said he was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse near the 800 Metres and again passing the 600 Metres, however, LORD DRAGON continued to travel well during this portion of the race. He said in the early part of the Straight he shifted LORD DRAGON out into clear running from behind SYDNEY POWER, however, LORD DRAGON immediately came under pressure and did not stretch out as he thought it would. He said although LORD DRAGON was momentarily hampered near the 250 Metres when SYDNEY POWER was taken out by SAMADHI, LORD DRAGON was battling to maintain its position at this time and this had no bearing on the horse’s finishing position. He added he had ridden LORD DRAGON in a barrier trial in the lead up to today’s race and this trial was satisfactory given that the horse had spent a period of time out of training during March. Trainer C Fownes state that he gave LORD DRAGON a strong chance in today’s race based on its track work and the manner in which it had come on since it competed in a barrier trial on 4 May 2012 in the lead up to today’s race. He said following the horse’s disappointing performance at its last start on 15 February 2012, he decided to freshen it up as he felt that the horse had performed below explanations in this race. He said since being put back into work, LORD DRAGON had worked well and he was not able to offer any reason for the horse’s disappointing performance today. A veterinary inspection of LORD DRAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of LORD DRAGON was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LORD DRAGON 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 LUCKY CHEVALIER had sustained superficial wounds to the right hock and right hind cannon. LORD DRAGON, SAMADHI and SHINING TREASURES were sent for sampling. <14/5/2012 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that JOHN DORY was lame in the right front leg on the day after racing. Before being allowed to race again, JOHN DORY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.