06/10/2012  Shatin  Race 9

Whilst in the saddling stalls, SIR EAGLES had its left front plate refitted. SIR EAGLES was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. LONGWAH SUPREME began awkwardly and bumped heavily with MENTOR, resulting in LONGWAH SUPREME losing ground. MASQUERADER and SIR EAGLES were slow to begin. Soon after the start, PIZZAZZ was taken across behind runners from its outside barrier. Apprentice K C Ng (SIMPLE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that on the first turn near the 850 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of RICH TAPESTRY, and when shifting in also steadied the pace which resulted in RICH TAPESTRY being checked and also causing MASQUERADER, which was following RICH TAPESTRY, to be checked. Apprentice Ng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 18 October 2012 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, 10 October 2012. Throughout the race, KEEN MARIE travelled wide and without cover. Prior to the announcement of weighed-in, the Stewards ascertained that FREDERICK ENGELS (B Prebble) and SIMPLE (Apprentice K C Ng), which were drawn to begin from barriers 6 and 7 respectively, occupied and jumped from barriers 7 and 6. As the Stewards were satisfied that neither runner gained a material advantage nor were denied a fair start and having regard to the finishing positions of both horses, weighed-in was semaphored. In examining this matter, the Stewards interviewed Jockey Prebble and Apprentice Ng, in the presence of his allocated trainer, Mr C H Yip who is also the trainer of SIMPLE. Apprentice Ng stated that he was instructed to ride SIMPLE forward in the early stages, cross to the rail and take up the box seat which he was able to achieve. B Prebble tendered evidence that his instructions were to allow FREDERICK ENGELS to be comfortable in the early stages and to take up a position near midfield or slightly in front of midfield with cover which he was able to achieve and, in his view, the fact that he had started from barrier 7 instead of barrier 6 had no material effect on the position he took up in the event and ultimately the horse’s finishing position. The Stewards also interviewed the Starter, Mr T McGovern, the Assistant Starters and the barrier staff who were required to load both FREDERICK ENGELS and SIMPLE into their allocated barriers. Subsequently Jockey B Prebble and Apprentice Ng pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 12(32) in that they were negligent in the performance of their duties which led to a breach of the Rules, namely Rule 32(5) which deals with the requirement that horses must take their place in the barriers in accordance with the official draw. Both Jockey Prebble and Apprentice Ng were each fined the sum of $5,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account the circumstances surrounding the loading of both horses and the role of the barrier attendants in respect of this matter. As a consequence of this incident, the Stewards will recommend to Management of the Club that a comprehensive review be conducted into the loading process. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of RICH TAPESTRY, O Doleuze stated that after sustaining interference on the first turn, RICH TAPESTRY did not stretch out fully and he suspected that the horse was not comfortable racing on the inside of other runners. He added that RICH TAPESTRY did not close off its race as normal and he feels as though the horse is better suited by obtaining a run to the outside of runners. A veterinary inspection of RICH TAPESTRY including an endoscopic examination after the race showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, RICH TAPESTRY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MENTOR including an endoscopic examination after the race showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, MENTOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RICH TAPESTRY, EL ZONDA and KEEN MARIE were sent for sampling.