21/06/2009  Shatin  Race 8

GOUF, which was fractious in its stall, was slow to begin. W M Lai (ACE OF SPADES) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 1000 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in, causing OUR PEGASUS to be carried in which in turn caused VALUE CHOICE to be carried in, causing crowding on its inside to SOVIET PEARL which as a result was carried in across the rightful running of COUNTRY MAGIC, causing that horse to be checked and blunder. GOUF, which was following, was checked in consequence. Having in mind that this was the 6th occasion on which W M Lai had been found to be in breach of the careless riding Rule during the season, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was that he be fined a sum of $80,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating four racedays. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, GOUF was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of COUNTRY MAGIC. For some distance after this, GOUF continued to race awkwardly close to the heels of COUNTRY MAGIC. In the early stages, FERRO BEAU was taken back and then for the major part of the Straight hung in and proved difficult to ride. After the 1000 Metres, DR POSSIBLE was steadied when awkwardly placed between STAR OF FAME and ELITE SIXTY-SIX. After the 800 Metres, STAR OF FAME got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of ELITE SIXTY-SIX. Making the Home Turn, NOBLE CHOICE and OUR PEGASUS were tightened for room inside ACE OF SPADES. At the 300 Metres, GOUF was steadied and shifted wider on the track to go forward, then over the final 50 Metres was again steadied when unable to obtain clear running. Because of this GOUF was not fully tested. Approaching the 200 Metres, STAR OF FAME was steadied when held up and unable to improve. At the 150 Metres, OUR PEGASUS was steadied away from the heels of ACE OF SPADES which was giving ground. In the Straight, VAUGIRARD hung in and at the 150 Metres was steadied away from the heels of FERRO BEAU which was shifted out away from the heels of WIN A DOZEN. For the major part of the race, ACE OF SPADES hung in. FERRO BEAU was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of FERRO BEAU after the race did not show any significant findings. DR POSSIBLE, DREAM HORSE and SOVIET PEARL were sent for sampling.