16/01/2010  Shatin  Race 9

At the start, TAKEANOTHERCHANCE and OSVALDO were crowded for room between BILLION and MOONWALK, both of which shifted ground. STREET CAT was slow to begin. W Pike (MOONWALK) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that for some distance passing the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of JOHNSON, resulting in that horse being unnecessarily crowded for room and in turn taken in across the rightful running of TAKEANOTHERCHANCE which was checked. W Pike was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 8 February 2010 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 Sunday 31 January 2010. In addition, W Pike was fined $25,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. JOHNSON was held up and unable to obtain clear running until passing the 300 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MOONWALK, W Pike stated that the horse travelled satisfactorily throughout the race and when shifted out around GRAND DANCER at the top of the Straight initially responded well. He said when BEAUTY FOREVER improved to be racing to the outside of MOONWALK, he commenced to ride the horse along, however, MOONWALK failed to respond to his riding as he thought it would, hung in and gave ground. He said the manner in which MOONWALK failed to finish off the race was disappointing. When questioned, O Doleuze (GRAND DANCER) stated that he had been instructed to be positive on the horse in the early stages and lead the race, however, if another horse was intent on leading, he should sit off that horse. He said accordingly he rode GRAND DANCER along in the early stages to initially race in the lead. He said he then observed BILLION striding forward to his outside, for this reason passing the 1600 Metres he steadied GRAND DANCER to allow that horse to cross. He said when he did this, he shifted GRAND DANCER into a one-off position and had raced at the hindquarters of BILLION. When questioned regarding his looking behind on a number of occasions during the race, O Doleuze stated that he was aware of MOONWALK racing close to his heels and he was looking around to ensure that MOONWALK did not gallop on GRAND DANCER. He said he also heard a considerable amount of calling from the riders of runners behind him and he was ensuring that he had left adequate clearance for those horses to remain racing comfortably behind GRAND DANCER. Trainer S Woods stated that the instructions today on GRAND DANCER were similar to those given to the jockey at its most recent start. He said he felt it was in the best interests of GRAND DANCER to dictate the race if possible rather than be obliged to race behind other runners. He said he did not believe the tempo of the race would be overly strong and this would enable GRAND DANCER the opportunity to race in a forward position. Mr Woods and O Doleuze were advised their explanations would be reported, however, O Doleuze was warned against the practice of unnecessarily looking around in races. KING DANCER, SUPER SATIN and BEAUTY FOREVER were sent for sampling.