25/05/2014  Shatin  Race 9

MASQUERADER was withdrawn on 24.5.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter GLORY OF LONGWAH (C K Tong). Before being allowed to race again, MASQUERADER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded, GLORY OF LONGWAH became fractious, reared and got its fore legs over the front gates. During this incident, the gates opened, resulting in GLORY OF LONGWAH galloping a circuit riderless. Acting on veterinary advice that GLORY OF LONGWAH had sustained wounds to its left front cannon and fetlock and as such was not suitable to race, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the horse. Before being allowed to race again, GLORY OF LONGWAH will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When GLORY OF LONGWAH became fractious, SICHUAN EXEC also reared and momentarily got its right front leg into the adjoining stall. SICHUAN EXEC was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said apart from a small quantity of blood at the mouth, there were no significant findings and accordingly SICHUAN EXEC was passed fit to start. Before being allowed to race again, SICHUAN EXEC will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. When GLORY OF LONGWAH escaped riderless, all horses were removed from the barriers. SICHUAN EXEC shifted out at the start and bumped MY LEGEND. ROCKET FLY began only fairly. From wide barriers, BIG FOUR and GREEN MANNER were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 1200 Metres, GOOD CHOICE was momentarily steadied away from the heels of BALTIC WARRIOR. Approaching the 850 Metres, BRILLIANT SHINE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CIRCUIT STAR. After the 600 Metres, GOOD CHOICE raced in restricted room between GREAT SKY and MY LEGEND. K C Leung (BALTIC WARRIOR) dropped his whip near the 300 Metres. K C Leung was advised that this was the second occasion today that he had dropped his whip and the third occasion this season. He was further advised that should he again be found to drop his whip in races prior to the end of the current racing season, he may be penalized. C Y Ho (GREAT SKY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of GOOD CHOICE, causing that horse to be taken in across the rightful running of MY LEGEND which was checked. In this incident, BIG FOUR, which was racing to the inside of MY LEGEND, was momentarily hampered when racing tight between that horse and SICHUAN EXEC. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 19 June 2014 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 Sunday, 8 June 2014. In addition, C Y Ho was fined $20,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. Throughout the race, GREAT SKY travelled wide and without cover. BRILLIANT SHINE lost its right front plate after passing the winning post. A veterinary inspection of ROCKET FLY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BRILLIANT SHINE and NUMERO UNO were sent for sampling.