19/10/2011  Shatin  Race 1

EPEE DE HUA, FIERCE FORCE and EVER KING were slow to begin. Shortly after the start, BRIGHT SPIRITS got its head up when being corrected after shifting in and inconveniencing HAPPY EAGLE. From the outside barrier, RACING SPORT was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. W M Lai (LUCKY ARMY) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HAPPY EAGLE, resulting in that horse being crowded for room and taken in onto PLOT RATIO which was also crowded for room and which resulted in both PLOT RATIO and HAPPY EAGLE losing the running to which they were rightfully entitled. In this incident, FIERCE FORCE, NEWSWIRE TOO and RACING SPORT were all hampered in consequence. W M Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 14 November 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 November 2011. SPARKLING travelled wide and without cover until after the 900 Metres at which stage it was able to shift in to race outside the leader, BINGO KEY. As a result of SPARKLING shifting in, LUCKY ARMY was left racing wide and without cover and then near the 800 Metres was taken wider by GREAT HERO which was shifted to the outside of BRIGHT SPIRITS. In the middle stages, PLOT RATIO proved difficult to settle. M Chadwick (EPEE DE HUA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 500 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of PLOT RATIO, causing that horse to be checked and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. M Chadwick was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 10 November 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 Sunday, 30 October 2011. Rounding the Home Turn, EPEE DE HUA raced tight between AMAZING CHOICE and BRIGHT SPIRITS which got its head on the side and shifted out slightly. For some distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres, EPEE DE HUA raced tight between AMAZING CHOICE and LUCKY ARMY when attempting to obtain tight running between those horses. After the 200 Metres, RACING SPORT shifted out, resulting in PLOT RATIO and NEWSWIRE TOO being inconvenienced when taken out. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PLOT RATIO had lost its left hind plate. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY EAGLE and FIERCE FORCE after the race did not show any significant findings. BINGO KEY and GREAT HERO were sent for sampling.