19/12/2012  Happy Valley  Race 8

EURO SWIFTLY was slow to begin and shortly after the start was taken across behind runners. Near the 1300 Metres, MING HOI TREASURE, which was proving difficult to settle, struck the heels of LEGEND EXPRESS and shifted out abruptly, resulting in FORGIVE AND FORGET being hampered and also having to shift out when being checked away from the heels of MING HOI TREASURE. After the 800 Metres, FORGIVE AND FORGET raced three wide and without cover. XILAI XIANZI had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 200 Metres. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred approaching the 50 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether RACING HERO should be declared the winner of the race. Subsequently Y T Cheng, the rider of ABSOLUTE FANTASY, 2nd placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against RACING HERO (Z Purton) being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount approaching the 50 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that approaching the 50 Metres ABSOLUTE FANTASY, which was making ground to the outside of RACING HERO, was bumped heavily on two occasions by that horse which shifted out. It was further established that after this incident ABSOLUTE FANTASY then continued to make ground on RACING HERO in the run to the finishing line. Having in mind the manner in which ABSOLUTE FANTASY was closing off the race, the degree of the interference and the margin between the two horses at the end of the race, the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that had the interference not have occurred ABSOLUTE FANTASY would have finished in front of RACING HERO. Accordingly, they sustained the protest/objection and amended the placings to reads No. 12, ABSOLUTE FANTASY, 1st; No. 4, RACING HERO, 2nd; No. 5, SLICK BULLET, 3rd; and No. 10, PERI PERI SAFFRON, 4th. At a subsequent inquiry, Z Purton pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that he permitted RACING HERO to shift out near the 50 Metres, resulting in the interference to ABSOLUTE FANTASY and was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 10 January 2013 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 Tuesday, 1 January 2013. When ABSOLUTE FANTASY was taken out, FORGIVE AND FORGET was hampered when obliged to shift out away from the heels of that horse. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on FLYING UNICORN at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of XILAI XIANZI and FORGIVE AND FORGET after the race did not show any significant findings. ABSOLUTE FANTASY and RACING HERO were sent for sampling.