08/12/2010  Happy Valley  Race 7

On arrival at the Start, THE UNTOUCHABLELAD had its left front plate refitted. THE UNTOUCHABLELAD was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said, in his opinion, it was suitable to race. Shortly after the start, BUTTERFIELD shifted out and bumped THE UNTOUCHABLELAD, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced and THE UNTOUCHABLELAD making contact with the hindquarters of CHEERFUL DELIGHTS which itself became unbalanced. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, CHEERFUL DELIGHTS was steadied to avoid the heels of ANTIPASTO which shifted in. Passing the 50 Metres, ANTIPASTO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of THE UNTOUCHABLELAD which shifted out. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred over the final 150 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether AMITYSHIP should be declared the 3rd placegetter of the race. Subsequently, B Prebble, the rider of THE UNTOUCHABLELAD, 4th placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against AMITYSHIP (H Uchida) being declared 3rd on the grounds of interference over the final 150 Metres. After taking evidence from all the parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that near the 150 Metres AMITYSHIP shifted out under pressure and brushed THE UNTOUCHABLELAD. They further found that inside the 100 Metres AMITYSHIP again shifted out and made contact with THE UNTOUCHABLELAD. The Stewards also found that both THE UNTOUCHABLELAD and AMITYSHIP then had the opportunity over the last 50 Metres to be tested in the run to the line. The Stewards, after considering the manner in which both horses were finishing off the race, could not be comfortably satisfied that had the contact not occurred that THE UNTOUCHABLELAD would have beaten AMITYSHIP, therefore the protest/objection was overruled and the Judge’s placings as semaphored were confirmed. At a subsequent inquiry, H Uchida was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift out inside the 100 Metres. B Prebble was found guilty of a charge of improper riding [Rule 100(1)] in that inside the 100 Metres he extended his right arm away from his body, resulting in his right arm coming into contact with the left arm and/or torso of H Uchida, the rider of AMITYSHIP, which contributed to Jockey Uchida becoming unbalanced. In the circumstances of this case, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for B Prebble’s licence to ride in races be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday, 13 January 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (8 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 12 December 2010. Throughout the race, ANTIPASTO travelled wide and without cover. FEARLESS and HO WONGCHOY were sent for sampling.