11/02/2012  Shatin  Race 1

JADE PINS and FULL STAR were slow to begin. From wide barriers, SABINA and SAMMY’S FORTUNE were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After being ridden along to obtain a forward position, ROCKET AND GOLD proved difficult to settle after the 1600 Metres and near the 1400 Metres had to be checked away from the heels of BOLD TACK. In the early stages, RACING SPORT was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1400 Metres was allowed to improve into a more forward position. Y T Cheng (ROCKET AND GOLD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that rounding the Home Turn he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of TELECOM TOP STAR, causing that horse to be crowded for room between ROCKET AND GOLD and METREVELLI, resulting in TELECOM TOP STAR falling and causing B Prebble to be dislodged. Y T Cheng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 26 March 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (7 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 29 February 2012. ROCKET AND GOLD was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. ROCKET AND GOLD was then again unable to obtain clear running over the final 200 Metres. Because of this, ROCKET AND GOLD was not properly tested. JADE PINS had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and again near the 150 Metres. SABINA was unable to obtain clear running until near the 200 Metres. Over the concluding stages, JADE PINS raced tight between KUNG HEI FAT CHOI and FULL STAR. When questioned, G Mossé stated that he had not been instructed on where to position KUNG HEI FAT CHOI, rather he was to ride the horse where it was able to obtain cover. He said he shifted KUNG HEI FAT CHOI across behind runners and was able to obtain cover behind METREVELLI in a position one horse off the fence approaching the 1400 Metres. He said however that after obtaining this position behind METREVELLI, the pace of the race slackened and KUNG HEI FAT CHOI was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. He said that as it had been explained to him that KUNG HEI FAT CHOI is one-paced, rather than continuing to restrain away from the heels of METREVELLI, he elected, near the 1200 Metres, to allow KING HEI FAT CHOI to improve to the outside of the heels of METREVELLI. He added although this resulted in KUNG HEI FAT CHOI racing without cover, he felt that this was more advantageous for the horse than continuing to have it over-race near the rear of the field. A veterinary inspection of TELECOM TOP STAR after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and a wound to the back of its left hind fetlock. Before being allowed to race again, TELECOM TOP STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TELECOM TOP STAR, DANESOUTH and TELECOM SUPREMO were sent for sampling.