01/01/2014  Shatin  Race 9

After entering the track and travelling a short distance, T Angland was dislodged from GRIMMY. T Angland remounted and proceeded to the barriers without further incident. DIVINE TEN, which was fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin and then was crowded for room between COSTA DEL SOL and GENERAL IRON which shifted in after beginning awkwardly. PLENTY OF SPEED began only fairly. MI SAVVY, which was leaning on the inside of its gate, began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, SECRET AGENT raced in restricted room between COSTA DEL SOL an TANGO FIRE which got its head on the side and shifted out away from GRIMMY. U Rispoli (PURE FORCE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 700 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of GRIMMY, causing that horse to be taken out across the rightful running of MI SAVVY which was checked. U Rispoli was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 27 January 2014 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension shall commence on Thursday, 16 January 2014 on which day Jockey Rispoli was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred at the Sha Tin racemeeting last Sunday, 29 December 2013. Near the 200 Metres, DIVINE TEN and GRIMMY raced tight as DIVINE TEN shifted to the inside of PURE FORCE to obtain clear running. In this incident, DIVINE TEN was struck across the nose by the whip of T Angland. Also near the 200 Metres, PURE FORCE shifted out and bumped TANGO FIRE (B Prebble). For some distance after this, PURE FORCE and TANGO FIRE raced tight as PURE FORCE continued to shift out under pressure. In this incident, B Prebble was restricted in his use of the whip on TANGO FIRE. U Rispoli was advised that he should have made more effort under the circumstances to prevent his mount from shifting ground outwards at the relevant time. Near the 150 Metres, SECRET AGENT was crowded for room between FLYING UNICORN and MR GOURMET which got its head on the side and shifted out before being corrected by its rider. MR GOURMET then continued to race with its head on the side for the remainder of the race. Over the concluding stages, PURE FORCE and TANGO FIRE made contact on a number of occasions due to both horses shifting ground. U Rispoli was warned against the practice of making contact with other riders after passing the winning post. Following this race, the Stewards received an approach from Mr Y S Tsui, the trainer of DIVINE TEN querying Z Purton’s riding of that horse over the final 500 Metres. Mr Tsui expressed concern regarding DIVINE TEN not being shifted to the outside of GENERAL IRON when he felt that there was an opportunity for Jockey Purton to do so. Z Purton stated that after being slow to begin, he positioned DIVINE TEN behind GENERAL IRON in the early and middle stages. He said after the 500 Metres he was aware that GENERAL IRON had shifted in slightly which may present a run to the outside of that horse, however, he was also mindful that TANGO FIRE was positioned to the inside of GENERAL IRON and he felt that had he have attempted to shift DIVINE TEN to the outside of GENERAL IRON, that horse may be taken out by TANGO FIRE which had PURE FORCE positioned to its inside which may result in DIVINE TEN being unable to obtain clear running. He said he felt that it was a better option at this time to follow both TANGO FIRE and PURE FORCE forward as he expected those horses would be able to take him into the race. He added at this time GRIMMY was under pressure and he felt that it was a better option for him to position DIVINE TEN to shift to the inside of PURE FORCE with a view to taking GRIMMY in at this time which continued to be hard ridden to maintain its position. He said passing the 300 Metres he directed DIVINE TEN to the inside of PURE FORCE, however, at this time GRIMMY maintained its position to his inside and did not shift in which resulted in DIVINE TEN being hampered when initially disappointed for running between GRIMMY and PURE FORCE. He said he was able to take GRIMMY in after the 200 Metres and DIVINE TEN was then afforded unimpeded running for the remainder of the race. After having viewed the video and considered Jockey Purton’s explanation, the Stewards found that it was reasonable for Jockey Purton to take the options that he did after the 500 Metres. A veterinary inspection of ORIENTAL PROSPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DIVINE TEN, TANGO FIRE and PURE FORCE were sent for sampling.