29/12/2013  Shatin  Race 8

BEAUTY JOURNEY began only fairly and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of AFFLUENCE OF RAIN which shifted in. GOLD EDITION and SMART FORWARD bumped at the start, resulting in SMART FORWARD shifting out across the running of SMART PLANET which was inconvenienced. After the 1100 Metres, SKY FAR became unbalanced. U Rispoli (PRETTY ONE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SIR JOHN, causing that horse to be checked. U Rispoli was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 16 January 2014 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 5 January 2014. Near the 850 Metres, BEAUTY JOURNEY became unbalanced. At the 700 Metres, BEAUTY JOURNEY was checked when reluctant to maintain its position inside SMART PLANET which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of MASTER SOMMELIER. When BEAUTY JOURNEY was checked, that horse shifted out, resulting in GLAMOROUS RYDER being hampered. Near the 650 Metres, SMART FORWARD raced tight between SIR JOHN and TURIN CHAMPION which got its head on the side and lay out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SKY FAR. For some distance after this, TURIN CHAMPION continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of SKY FAR. SKY FAR had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and after the 200 Metres shifted out abruptly when attempting to be positioned to take advantage of a run between PRETTY ONE and GOLD EDITION. After this, SKY FAR continued to lay out and proved difficult to ride. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY JOURNEY and MASTER SOMMELIER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MASTER SOMMELIER, AFFLUENCE OF RAIN and PRETTY ONE were sent for sampling.