29/05/2011  Shatin  Race 5

ABLE DRAGON was withdrawn on 28.5.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore foot). Before being allowed to race again, ABLE DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When being paraded behind the barriers, SURE FORWARD kicked the rail. An examination by the Veterinary Officer found that horse to be suitable to race. On arrival at the barriers, Jockey G Mossé expressed concern regarding the action of SHINY DAY. The Veterinary Officer said that SHINY DAY was lame in the left front leg and, in his opinion, was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the horse. Before being allowed to race again, SHINY DAY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SURE FORWARD was slow to begin. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, FAT DRAGON failed to muster speed. B Doyle (JOHNSON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of NEW LEADER, resulting in that horse being taken in across the running of WINNING MASCOT. As a result, WINNING MASCOT lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled when crowded for room between NEW LEADER and PROSPERITY. B Doyle was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 16 June 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 8 June 2011. In addition, B Doyle was fined $25,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. For some distance after the 1100 Metres, PROSPERITY and NEW LEADER bumped as Z Purton, the rider of NEW LEADER, attempted to obtain a position one horse off the fence. Z Purton was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst it is incumbent upon all riders to ride competitively wherever possible, he had come close on this occasion to riding in an improper manner. Approaching the 350 Metres, SURE FORWARD was checked when disappointed for a tight run between BAITIWU and NEW LEADER, both of which shifted some ground. As the Stewards were of the opinion that no rider error was involved in this incident, no further action was taken. Passing the 250 Metres, PROSPERITY was steadied away from the heels of JUGGERNAUT which got its head on the side and shifted out. LET’S GOAL and WINNING MASCOT were unable to obtain clear running until near the 200 Metres. After the 200 Metres, LET’S GOAL got its head on the side and hung out under pressure and then close to the finishing line shifted out abruptly, resulting in HOW WONDERFUL being hampered. Throughout the race, NEW LEADER and BAITIWU travelled wide and without cover. The performance of FAT DRAGON, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FAT DRAGON will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned, Z Purton stated that NEW LEADER has a history of having missed the start in its races. He said he was instructed to attempt to have NEW LEADER begin better and if it were to do so, to take advantage of barrier No. 6 and position NEW LEADER in 4th or 5th position if possible. He said due to the circumstances of the race, primarily PROSPERITY not shifting to the fence and remaining racing in the one-off position, he was obliged to have NEW LEADER position slightly more forward than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of NEW LEADER after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of PROSPERITY, D Whyte stated that near the 1300 Metres his mount became unbalanced when WINNING MASCOT was taken across the heels of PROSPERITY. He said then for some distance after the 1100 Metres PROSPERITY again became unbalanced when bumped by NEW LEADER on a number of occasions. He said PROSPERITY made a heavy breathing noise and gave him the impression that it may have been winded as a consequence of the contact with NEW LEADER. He added in the Straight PROSPERITY finished off the race only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of PROSPERITY after the race did not reveal any significant findings other than the horse had sustained an abrasion to the right hock. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that LET’S GOAL had lost its left front plate. PROSPERITY, SUPER BOBO and LET’S GOAL were sent for sampling.