11/01/2014  Shatin  Race 9

MARTIAL KING was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of KOKODA which shifted in after being bumped by SICHUAN VIGOUR. From the outside barrier, BIG FOUR was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 800 Metres, GREAT CHARM was taken out into a three wide position without cover by SPINNING DANCER which shifted out. At the entrance to the Straight, D'OR WONGCHOY was taken wider by SUPREME FALCON which, when shifting to the outside of the heels of MR GNOCCHI, was taken wider by that horse which improved to the outside of GREAT CHARM into clear running. BIG FOUR, which was racing outside D'OR WONGCHOY, was inconvenienced in consequence. Also at the entrance to the Straight, SICHUAN VIGOUR was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPINNING DANCER. Near the 50 Metres, KOKODA, which was finishing off the race well, was shifted out away from the heels of SICHUAN VIGOUR. C Y Ho (MR GNOCCHI) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of SUPREME FALCON, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. D'OR WONGCHOY, which was following SUPREME FALCON, was shifted in away from the heels of that horse in consequence. C Y Ho 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). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 15 January 2014. After the race, N Pinna stated that OMOTESANDO did not stretch out at any stage and did not feel comfortable in its action. He said he was reluctant to place the horse under pressure as he felt that there may be something amiss with it. A veterinary inspection of OMOTESANDO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of OMOTESANDO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, OMOTESANDO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. J Moreira reported that G-ONE LEADER came off the bridle at the 600 Metres and then did not close off the race in the Straight as he would have expected. He said when riding G-ONE LEADER for the first time today, the horse appeared to be reluctant to stretch out fully when racing amongst other horses. A veterinary inspection of G-ONE LEADER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PRECISION KING, MR GNOCCHI and BIG FOUR were sent for sampling.