14/12/2011  Happy Valley  Race 6

EASY TRACK was slow to begin. FRESH AIR was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of HAWTHORNE which shifted out. From the outside barrier, KIDCONI was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 800 Metres, TOUCH GO got its head up when being shifted in across behind YOUNG TURBO. C W Wong (HAWTHORNE) was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in passing the 800 Metres when not clear of CHARITY SPIRIT which at this time was racing keenly and proving difficult to settle. C W Wong was advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. H W Lai (SHIBALA) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 600 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent SHIBALA shifting in which resulted in ARRIVED AHEAD being initially crowded for room and contributing to that horse being severely checked and losing its rightful running. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 9 January 2012 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, 1 January 2012. M Chadwick (DANEWIN WINNING) was also found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 600 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent DANEWIN WINNING shifting in which resulted in SHIBALA being taken in further across the running of ARRIVED AHEAD, contributing to that horse being checked and losing its rightful running. At this point, ARRIVED AHEAD struck the heels of SHIBALA and was severely checked. CHARITY SPIRIT, which was following, struck the heels of ARRIVED AHEAD which shifted out and was severely checked and in turn shifted out, taking PROSPEROUS extremely wide and resulting in FRESH AIR and KIDCONI both being severely checked and taken wider. HAPPY YEAH YEAH, which was racing to the inside of ARRIVED AHEAD, and EASY TRACK were also hampered in this incident. M Chadwick was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 16 January 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension shall commence on Monday, 9 January 2011 on which day M Chadwick was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred at the Sha Tin racemeeting last Sunday. In addition, M Chadwick was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. After the 100 Metres, HAWTHORNE shifted out under pressure, resulting in DANEWIN WINNING being momentarily crowded for room near the 50 Metres between HAWTHORNE and TOUCH GO. C W Wong was severely reprimanded and advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mounts rather than allowing them to shift ground. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of Apprentice M L Yeung (HAPPY YEAH YEAH), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. A veterinary inspection of ARRIVED AHEAD after the race revealed that the horse had sustained a small wound to the inside of the right front cannon. A veterinary inspection of CHARITY SPIRIT after the race did not show any significant findings. ARRIVED AHEAD, TOUCH GO and HAWTHORNE were sent for sampling.