30/01/2011  Shatin  Race 10

TRIUMPHANT COLOURS was withdrawn on 28.1.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore foot) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ABLE GREY (Apprentice K C Leung). Before being allowed to race again, TRIUMPHANT COLOURS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MR BOND was slow to begin. From wide barriers, RICH UNICORN and SUPREME WIN were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. C K Tong (IMPECCABLE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of NORMAN INVADER, causing that horse to be taken in onto FLYING COLOURS which was in turn taken in onto SUPER BOY, causing the ground of SUPER BOY and FLYING COLOURS to be unnecessarily tightened and for FLYING COLOURS to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. CALIFORNIA MOON, which was racing to the outside of FLYING COLOURS, was inconvenienced in consequence. C K Tong was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 13 February 2011 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 Saturday, 5 February 2011. Also passing the 1000 Metres, RICH UNICORN got its head up and proved very difficult to settle when being steadied away from the heels of ELEGANCE DESIRE. Approaching the 800 Metres, NORMAN INVADER momentarily raced tight to the inside of ABLE GREY. After the 800 Metres, CALIFORNIA MOON was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 600 Metres, FLYING COLOURS shifted out away from the heels of SUPER BOY and in doing so made contact with the hindquarters of CALIFORNIA MOON which became unbalanced. Shortly after entering into the Straight, UNION`S STAR was eased out from the race. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that UNION`S STAR had bled from both nostrils. RICH UNICORN had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 250 Metres. Both GOOD STRIKE and FLYING COLOURS were not able to obtain clear running until near the 200 Metres. For a short distance after the 150 Metres, IMPECCABLE was held up for clear running behind ABLE GREY and inside NORMAN INVADER. A veterinary inspection of NORMAN INVADER and IMPECCABLE after the race did not show any significant findings. ELEGANCE DESIRE and RICH UNICORN were sent for sampling.