20/09/2009  Shatin  Race 5

On arrival at the barriers, WONDERFUL GAINS was examined by the Veterinary Officer after it was reported that the horse was kicked by a lead horse on the way to the Start. WONDERFUL GAINS was passed suitable to race. SUPREME DRAGON was slow to begin. AMERICAN GLORY began awkwardly and then shortly afterwards was hampered when bumped by WONDERFUL GAINS. For some distance approaching the 1000 Metres, WINBO got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of WONDERFUL GAINS. D Whyte (WONDERFUL GAINS) was found guilty of 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 POTPOURRI, resulting in that horse being taken in onto MINGS’ HERO which was crowded for room, checked and lost its rightful running. GREEN GLORY, which was following, was checked in consequence. D Whyte was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Friday 2 October 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the racemeeting to be conducted at Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia on Friday 25 September 2009. G Cheyne (HIGH INTELLIGENT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of WONDERFUL GAINS, resulting in that horse being taken in onto POTPOURRI which was in turn taken in onto KEEP ME which resulted in both POTPOURRI and KEEP ME being badly crowded for room. In this incident, SKY WALKER, which was racing to the inside of KEEP ME, became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters. SUPREME DRAGON was also hampered in consequence. G Cheyne 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. Near the 700 Metres, WONDERFUL GAINS was momentarily crowded for room between SUPREME DRAGON and MAGNANIMOUS which shifted in slightly when being steadied away from the heels of POTPOURRI. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by H W Lai, the rider of the 4th placegetter, KEEP ME, against SKY WALKER (B Doyle) being declared the 3rd placegetter alleging interference near the 350 Metres. After viewing the official videos of the race and after taking evidence of all parties concerned, the Stewards found that near the 350 Metres KEEP ME became unbalanced when bumped by SKY WALKER which shifted out abruptly, however, bearing in mind the point of the race where the incident took place and the margin separating the two horses at the end of the race, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had the interference which did take place not occurred that KEEP ME would have finished in front of SKY WALKER. The protest/objection was overruled and the Judge’s placings confirmed. Throughout the race, POTPOURRI travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of MINGS’ HERO, B Prebble stated that after striking interference near the 1200 Metres, the horse, which was carrying 133 lbs, was obliged to race further back than had been anticipated. He said with the big weight, MINGS’ HERO was unable to sprint with the field and finished the race off one-paced. When questioned regarding the poor performance of WONDERFUL GAINS, D Whyte stated that his mount travelled well until the Home Straight, however, was disappointing in that it failed to respond to his riding when placed under pressure. He said that, in his opinion, the action of WONDERFUL GAINS shortened up noticeably over the final part of the race. A veterinary inspection of MINGS’ HERO and WONDERFUL GAINS after the race did not show any significant findings. HIGH INTELLIGENT and MY WHISKY were sent for sampling.