20/09/2009  Shatin  Race 3

BE GRATEFUL was withdrawn on 19.9.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen left fore fetlock) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter CRISTAL MAGNUM. Before being allowed to race again, BE GRATEFUL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arriving at the barriers, the tongue tie fitted to DARREN was replaced. DARREN began awkwardly. C K Tong (JOLLY GOOD FORTUNE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that shortly after the start he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of GOSHAWK, resulting in GOSHAWK being taken across the rightful running of ICE FIRE, causing ICE FIRE to be checked and lose its rightful running. C K Tong was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 5 October 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday 26 September 2009. B Prebble (FULL BLESSINGS) was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in near the 1000 Metres when not sufficiently clear of TREASURABLE, resulting in that horse being hampered. Near the 800 Metres, MAGIC TEMPLE, which commenced to race fiercely, was crowded for room between TREASURABLE which shifted in slightly and GOSHAWK which when proving difficult to settle shifted out when being checked away from the heels of CRISTAL MAGNUM. At the same point, SUPER FIGHTER shifted out across the heels of COSMO SUCCESSOR after being checked away from the heels of TREASURABLE. JUST CHILL, which was following SUPER FIGHTER, was hampered in consequence. GOSHAWK broke down shortly after entering the Straight and was retired from the race. Near the 250 Metres, TREASURABLE, which was held up, was shifted to the inside of DARREN to obtain clear running. Over the final 150 Metres, ICE FIRE was not able to obtain clear running. Close to the line, SUPER FIGHTER and COSMO SUCCESSOR were crowded for room inside JUST CHILL which shifted in slightly. Throughout the race, COSMO SUCCESSOR travelled wide and without cover. JOLLY GOOD FORTUNE and DARREN were sent for sampling.