24/03/2010  Shatin  Race 7

From wide barriers, GIVE WELL and AMPLE GAINS were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 1500 Metres, HAPPY AMBASSADOR was checked when crowded for room inside PRINCE KALAMOUN (G Mossé) which after initially being taken in by WHATABOB then shifted in of its own accord despite the efforts of its rider. G Mossé was advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. At the entrance to the Straight, WHATABOB shifted out and bumped WIN PRACTITIONER which became unbalanced. PRINCE KALAMOUN had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. BUCCANEER was unable to obtain clear running until near the 200 Metres. G Mossé was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of WIN PRACTITIONER, causing that horse, which was racing tight to the inside of AMPLE GAINS, to be checked and lose its rightful running. G Mossé was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 5 April 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 next Sunday, 28 March 2010. In addition, G Mossé was fined $25,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. Throughout the race, NEEDLES AND THREAD travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight got its head on the side and shifted out. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred over the concluding stages which cast doubt on whether PRINCE KALAMOUN should be declared as the second placegetter. O Doleuze, the rider of AMPLE GAINS, third placegetter, also lodged a protest/objection against PRINCE KALAMOUN being declared the second placegetter alleging interference to his mount over the concluding stages. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that close to the finishing line PRINCE KALAMOUN and AMPLE GAINS bumped due to AMPLE GAINS shifting in slightly and PRINCE KALAMOUN shifting out when awkwardly placed outside of the heels of NEEDLES AND THREAD. Having in mind the proximity of the incident to the winning post and the fact that AMPLE GAINS had shifted in at this point, the protest/objection was overruled and correct weight declared on the Judge’s numbers. A Suborics (WIN PRACTITIONER) was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out right to the end of the race where possible. When questioned regarding the improved performance of NEEDLES AND THREAD, Trainer T W Leung stated that at its last start over the course and distance, the horse did not handle the wet track conditions. He said prior to that, the horse when racing over the course and distance had raced well to finish 2nd, beaten by a short margin. He said down a grade tonight and on the horse’s favoured surface, a forward showing was expected of NEEDLES AND THREAD. Mr Leung was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, now that NEEDLES AND THREAD had been successful, it would be expected that wherever possible the horse would race consistently. When questioned regarding the performance of MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP, Apprentice T H So stated that prior to the 1200 Metres his mount commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY EMPEROR. He said MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP continued to over-race for some distance and after this did not travel and, in his opinion, was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of MUTUAL FRIENDSHIP after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY AMBASSADOR, NEEDLES AND THREAD and PRINCE KALAMOUN were sent for sampling.