10/11/2012  Shatin  Race 10

REGENCY KING began very awkwardly and lost ground. DIAMOND ELEGANCE and SUPERKING DRAGON bumped at the start. STRATHTAY began awkwardly and shortly after the start was steadied when crowded for room between YUE LU TREASURE and WINNING APEX which shifted out. Passing the 1000 Metres, REGENCY KING got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREEN EAGLE. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, REGENCY KING got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in FLASH KNIGHT being directed out towards the heels of YUE LU TREASURE and then being awkwardly placed inside the heels of that horse. STRATHTAY, which was following, was checked away from the heels of FLASH KNIGHT in consequence. After the 200 Metres, BEST WIN got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure, resulting in STRATHTAY being directed out onto YUE LU TREASURE, causing those horses to bump. After this, BEST WIN continued to lay out under pressure. Throughout the race, DIAMOND ELEGANCE and YUE LU TREASURE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding after the 700 Metres, Y T Cheng (YUE LU TREASURE) stated that near the 700 Metres he heard a call to his inside and he had a brief look to his right to establish the source of the call. He said it was at this time that he ascertained that FLASH KNIGHT was racing directly to his inside with REGENCY KING positioned to the inside of that horse. He said a short distance later he again heard another call and for this reason he again looked to his right. He said at this time FLASH KNIGHT improved its position and commenced to shift to the outside of TREASURE GOLD. He said as he was of the opinion that FLASH KNIGHT was travelling better than YUE LU TREASURE, he did not ride his mount along at this time to prevent that horse from shifting out as he believed that YUE LU TREASURE would become unbalanced and would not benefit from FLASH KNIGHT making contact with his mount when shifting to the outside of TREASURE GOLD. Y T Cheng was advised that his riding during this portion of the race had come under notice and he was severely reprimanded for failing to attempt to prevent FLASH KNIGHT from shifting out. He was further advised that the Stewards held concern over his lack of competitiveness at this time of the race and that similar riding in the future may result in him facing a charge of a serious nature. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND ELEGANCE after the race did not show any significant findings, however, an endoscopic examination was unable to be conducted on the horse. A veterinary inspection of DOUBLE DRAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. GREEN EAGLE and FLASH KNIGHT were sent for sampling.