27/01/2013  Shatin  Race 10

MASQUERADER was slow to begin and shortly after the start was taken across behind runners. LITTLE COW began only fairly. Shortly after the start, HAPPY INDEX was crowded for room between KA YING KID which, after bumping with TOUCH GO on jumping, was then taken in by that horse and GURUS DREAM which shifted out slightly after being bumped by HORSE GALORE. From wide barriers, LORD SINCLAIR, STRAIGHT GOLD and ROYAL PARTNER were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. A Suborics (AMIGO) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of TOUCH GO, causing that horse to be checked and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled and in turn to be taken in onto GURUS DREAM which lost ground when crowded for room outside HORSE GALORE. A Suborics was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 25 February 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 Sunday, 17 February 2013. In addition, A Suborics was fined $15,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. After the 800 Metres, TOUCH GO was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 200 Metres, PRETTY ONE got its head on the side, hung out badly and shifted out, resulting in HORSE GALORE being checked when crowded for room outside PRETTY ONE. MASQUERADER and AMIGO, which were racing outside of HORSE GALORE, were hampered in consequence. PRETTY ONE then continued to hang out badly and proved very difficult to ride. Because of this, PRETTY ONE was not able to be properly tested in the run to the finishing line. Before being allowed to race again, PRETTY ONE will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. When questioned, M Chadwick stated that it was envisaged that today’s race would be run at a fast tempo and that Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of HAPPY INDEX, did not want the horse to be engaged in a speed battle in the early stages. He said for this reason he was asked to position HAPPY INDEX where it was comfortable and if other horses showed superior speed as expected, he should allow those horses to go forward of HAPPY INDEX. He said in the early stages a number of horses went forward as anticipated and he shifted his mount across behind them. He said HAPPY INDEX then came off the bridle and despite being ridden along was not able to maintain its position to prevent SOLAR GREAT from shifting in. He said rounding the Home Turn HAPPY INDEX lay out and in the circumstances finished oft the race fairly. When questioned, A Suborics stated that he had been instructed by the owners of AMIGO to ride the horse in a more forward position than had been usual as they were of the opinion that horses racing from back in the field were not suited. He said accordingly he was asked to be positive on AMIGO in the early stages and position the horse behind the pace if possible. Trainer C W Chang confirmed that the owners of AMIGO had requested for the horse to be ridden in a more forward position, hopefully in about 4th or 5th with cover. He said because these were the owners’ wishes, he relayed these instructions to Jockey Suborics. A veterinary inspection of STRAIGHT GOLD including an endoscopic examination after the race showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, STRAIGHT GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of LORD SINCLAIR after the race did not show any significant findings. SOLAR GREAT and LITTLE COW were sent for sampling. <28/1/2013 Additional Veterinary Report> The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that HAPPY INDEX was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY INDEX will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.