18/03/2012  Shatin  Race 9

VIVA GUY was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, ZACHARY was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. In the early stages, GREAT STORIES got its head on the side and proved difficult to settle when being steadied to allow FLYING UNICORN to cross. Approaching the 1400 Metres, MARK UP broke down in the left front fetlock. Near the 1300 Metres, CRAIG’S PRIDE got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied. After the 900 Metres, CRAIG’S PRIDE was left racing three wide and without cover. Near the 300 Metres, ZACHARY was shifted out after being disappointed for running between FLYING UNICORN and LIBERTY VALANCE. N Callan (PERCY JACKSON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LET’S GOAL, causing that horse to be checked and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In this incident, LET’S GOAL shifted in and bumped ZACHARY. N Callan was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 29 March 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension is with immediate effect. Near the 50 Metres, PERCY JACKSON was crowded for room and bumped the hindquarters of GREAT STORIES as a result of DELTA HEDGE (D Whyte) shifting out. D Whyte was severely reprimanded and advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. When DELTA HEDGE was shifted in to relieve the tightening to PERCY JACKSON, ZACHARY was directed in, resulting in ZACHARY and FLYING UNICORN bumping close to the finishing line. H W Lai (ZACHARY) was fined a sum of $2,000 for raising his whip arm above shoulder height. W M Lai (LIBERTY VALANCE) was placed on notice regarding raising his whip arm above shoulder height. When questioned regarding his riding of PERCY JACKSON in the early part of the Straight, N Callan stated that he considered shifting his mount to the very outside of the field to obtain clear running. He said however that CRAIG’S PRIDE, the favourite for today’s race and the horse which he had been following, quickened and therefore he elected to follow that horse through. He said he had ridden CRAIG’S PRIDE at its last start and the horse had quickened well and he felt that CRAIG’S PRIDE would be able to take him into the race and then would benefit PERCY JACKSON more so than shifting to the outside of VIVA GUY. He said however that after the 400 Metres after he committed to follow CRAIG’S PRIDE through, that horse did not respond as he thought it would and because of this near the 300 Metres he shifted PERCY JACKSON to the inside of that horse to obtain clear running. He added PERCY JACKSON was then held up for clear running until after the 150 Metres at which time it was able to obtain clear running. He said PERCY JACKSON became unbalanced when crowded for room over the concluding stages and, in his opinion, this incident had resulted in PERCY JACKSON not winning the race. After the race, it was reported that PERCY JACKSON had lost its left hind plate. A veterinary inspection of CRAIG’S PRIDE after the race did not show any significant findings. CRAIG’S PRIDE, GREAT STORIES and PERCY JACKSON were sent for sampling.