04/05/2014  Shatin  Race 3

GLACIER BLUE and MASTER SOMMELIER were crowded for room on jumping between SEMPITERNAL and LOVELY NAUGHTY which began awkwardly and shifted out. SENSATION, which was leaning on the outside of its stall, began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped SPICY DRAGON. After this, SPICY DRAGON was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. UNIQUE JOYFUL momentarily raced tight shortly after the start inside COSTA DEL SOL which shifted in. SEMPITERNAL lost its left front plate at the 1000 Metres. O Doleuze (UNIQUE JOYFUL) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SNOW SLIDER, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. O Doleuze was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 22 May 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 Saturday, 10 May 2014. In addition, O Doleuze was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. Approaching the 800 Metres, COSTA DEL SOL got its head up when crowded for room between UNIQUE JOYFUL and SENSATION (D Whyte) which shifted in. In this incident, COSTA DEL SOL became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by SNOW SLIDER which shifted out after being checked due to an earlier incident. D Whyte was advised that whilst there were some circumstances to this incident, nonetheless he must ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. D Whyte was severely reprimanded. Approaching the 700 Metres, HOME JOYFUL HOME got its head on the side and lay out. Near the 600 Metres, HOME JOYFUL HOME was severely checked and lost ground when momentarily crowded for room between SEMPITERNAL and SPICY DRAGON (H Bowman) which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GLACIER BLUE. Having considered the racing manners of HOME JOYFUL HOME, no further action was taken in respect of this incident, however, H Bowman was advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. COSTA DEL SOL was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. After the race, Z Purton, the rider of COSTA DEL SOL, reported that his mount made an abnormal respiratory noise in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of COSTA DEL SOL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. At the 100 Metres, SPICY DRAGON, which was closing off the race fairly, shifted out abruptly towards CITY POWER, resulting in SPICY DRAGON having to be steadied away from the heels of that horse. Close to the finishing line, BOULD MOVER was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SENSATION. In the Straight, SENSATION got its head on the side and lay out under pressure. Throughout the race, BOULD MOVER travelled wide and without cover. MASTER SOMMELIER got its head on the side and hung out after the 700 Metres and subsequently travelled wide and without cover. SUPREME FLIGHT and UNIQUE JOYFUL were sent for sampling.