09/12/2012  Shatin  Race 5

From the outside barrier, LUCKY NINE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. LEADING CITY was slow to muster speed in the early stages and near the 1100 Metres was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CERISE CHERRY (R Fourie) which shifted in when not quite clear. R Fourie was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Near the 1000 Metres, ADMIRATION was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TIME AFTER TIME when being shifted in to obtain a position behind that horse. After the 1000 Metres, JOY AND FUN proved very difficult to settle and got its head up for some distance when being severely checked away from the heels of CAPTAIN SWEET. Near the 900 Metres, FLYING BLUE was shifted in away from the heels of LUCKY NINE which got its head on the side and shifted in when being steadied away from the heels of SUPER EASY. Near the 800 Metres, TIME AFTER TIME raced tight inside SEA SIREN which shifted in and JOY AND FUN which shifted out when continuing to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of CAPTAIN SWEET. Rounding the Home Turn, SUPER EASY was taken wider by TIME AFTER TIME which shifted out to obtain clear running. Near the 200 Metres, CURREN CHAN was bumped by LEADING CITY which shifted in. B Prebble (LUCKY NINE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SUPER EASY, causing that horse to be taken across the rightful running of TIME AFTER TIME which as a result was checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Saturday, 29 December 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, 19 December 2012. Near the 150 Metres, ADMIRATION was held up for clear running behind SEA SIREN. Inside the 100 Metres, SEA SIREN got its head on the side, shifted in and bumped FLYING BLUE, causing both horses to become unbalanced. A short distance later, SEA SIREN was crowded for room between FLYING BLUE which was taken out by JOY AND FUN which shifted out slightly under pressure and inside LUCKY NINE which shifted in slightly. Over the concluding stages, FLYING BLUE raced tight between JOY AND FUN and LUCKY NINE. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by K Ikezoe, the rider of CURREN CHAN, which finished 7th, against ADMIRATION (N Callan) which finished 6th, alleging interference to his mount at the start. Having considered evidence from all parties concerned and having viewed the videos, the Stewards found that CURREN CHAN, which began only fairly, was checked when crowded for room between SEA SIREN and ADMIRATION which got its head on the side and shifted in away from SUPER EASY which itself was shifting in at this time. In this incident, SEA SIREN became badly unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by CURREN CHAN. The Stewards found that whilst CURREN CHAN was checked on jumping, having in mind where the incident took place and the manner in which both horses were finishing off the race, they could not be comfortably satisfied that this occurrence had an effect on the finishing positions of the two horses involved and as such the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. A veterinary inspection of TIME AFTER TIME and SEA SIREN after the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY NINE, LORD KANALOA and CERISE CHERRY were sent for sampling.