13/12/2009  Shatin  Race 9

FLEET COMMAND was crowded for room at the start between BEAUTY FLASH and DYNAMIC BLITZ which shifted in. In this incident, FLEET COMMAND bumped the hindquarters of BEAUTY FLASH which became unbalanced. For some distance approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, WHITE JADE was checked away from the heels of FLEET COMMAND which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ARMADA. KILDARE, which was following WHITE JADE, was checked in consequence. Passing the 700 Metres, KILDARE was crowded for room inside WHITE JADE which itself was crowded for room inside FLEET COMMAND (J Lloyd) which, when proving difficult to settle, shifted back in after initially shifting out when being checked away from the heels of ARMADA. FLEET COMMAND was then immediately taken back into a three wide position to relieve the tightening to its inside. J Lloyd was advised to exercise more care and to ensure that he leaves sufficient racing room for his fellow riders in future. C Williams (ARMADA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of WHITE JADE, resulting in that horse being checked. C Williams was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 28 December 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after Wednesday 16 December 2009. Close to the finishing line, SUNNY KING was steadied away from the heels of ARMADA which continued to shift out under pressure. When questioned, B Prebble stated that due to the anticipated fast pace of today’s race, he had been instructed to attempt to find cover and to have OUR LUCKY BABY race where it was comfortable. He said accordingly he allowed his mount to relax in the early stages and he had hoped to obtain a position with cover behind FLEET COMMAND, however, he was unable to do so. He said for some distance passing the 1100 Metres when racing to the outside of FLEET COMMAND, OUR LUCKY BABY was hampered on a number of occasions by that horse which shifted out when proving difficult to settle. He said for this reason OUR LUCKY BABY was obliged to race wide. He said after initially responding well to his riding in the early part of the Straight, OUR LUCKY BABY’s run finished over the final 200 Metres. Mr C H Yip, the trainer of OUR LUCKY BABY, confirmed the instructions issued to B Prebble. He said that due to the anticipated fast pace of today’s race and the fact that the horse had weakened at its most recent run at Sha Tin over 1400 Metres, it had been decided to attempt to ride OUR LUCKY BABY more quietly than has previously been the case in an endeavour to have it finish off the race. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that OUR LUCKY BABY had sustained a cut to the inside of the left front cannon. Before being allowed to race again, OUR LUCKY BABY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that passing the 1200 Metres he allowed ARMADA to cross FLEET COMMAND. He said FLEET COMMAND immediately commenced to over-race and proved very difficult to settle. He said for this reason he was obliged to continually check FLEET COMMAND away from the heels of ARMADA and shifted ground outwards on a number of occasions. He added as a result of shifting out away from the heels of ARMADA, FLEET COMMAND was then obliged to race wide and without cover from the 700 Metres. He stated due to the manner in which FLEET COMMAND had raced, the horse was not able to finish off today’s race. A veterinary inspection of FLEET COMMAND after the race did not show any significant findings. BEAUTY FLASH and ARMADA were sent for sampling.