11/10/2009  Shatin  Race 2

As the start was effected, SAMMY’S FALCON lifted its front feet off the ground and lost ground as a result. B Doyle stated that after this SAMMY’S FALCON was reluctant to stride out and did not respond to his riding at any stage in the race. In the circumstances, the performance of SAMMY’S FALCON, which was having its first start in Hong Kong today, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SAMMY’S FALCON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BIG CHIEF began very awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of GRANDWAY FLYER. Near the 1100 Metres, GRANDWAY FLYER was steadied away from the heels of SHY BALDY (W M Lai) which, after initially being clear to shift in, eased when crossing. W M Lai was reprimanded and advised to ensure he is sufficiently clear at all times when shifting ground. Apprentice K W Leung (TEAM WORK) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of STORMIN JOBURG, causing that horse to be checked and lose its rightful running. In this incident, STORMIN JOBURG made contact with the hindquarters of BIG CHIEF which became badly unbalanced. FINN MACCOOL, which was following BIG CHIEF, was steadied in consequence. Having in mind that Apprentice Leung is not approved to ride at Happy Valley, the Stewards decided the appropriate penalty was for his licence to ride in races be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday 5 November 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In that time, there are two racemeetings scheduled to be conducted at Sha Tin Racecourse. The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday 17 October 2009. Z Purton (BIG CHIEF) said that after this incident the horse hung out throughout the race. At the 600 Metres, LUCKY PRINCE and FINN MACCOOL bumped and became unbalanced. Throughout the race, TEAM WORK travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the improved performance of GOOD LUCK WIN, Trainer P F Yiu stated that the principal reason for the horse’s improvement today was the fact that it was able to find the rail and as a result was relaxed in what he considered to be a moderate class race. He said in a substantial number of its previous starts, GOOD LUCK WIN has not been able to find the rail and consequently has not raced genuinely. Mr Yiu was reminded that the Stewards had had cause in the past to question the consistency of the performance of GOOD LUCK WIN. He was advised to do his utmost to have GOOD LUCK WIN race consistently in the future. A veterinary inspection of BIG CHIEF including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. A veterinary inspection of SAMMY’S FALCON after the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY PRINCE, GOOD LUCK WIN and FINN MACCOOL were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer said an endoscopic examination of LUCKY PRINCE showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY PRINCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.