25/05/2014  Shatin  Race 10

On arrival at the Start, it was noted that FREDERICK ENGELS and GOLDEN HARVEST had both lost their left front plates. These plates were refitted. FREDERICK ENGELS and GOLDEN HARVEST were examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion they were suitable to race. SMART VOLATILITY was crowded for room at the start between BULLISH FRIEND which shifted out and BEAUTY SPARKLE which shifted in after being bumped by DIVINE TEN. AEROVELOCITY began very awkwardly and became unbalanced after shifting out and bumping the hindquarters of GO BABY GO which shifted out, causing TOUR DE FORCE to be crowded for room inside EL ZONDA. Near the 1050 Metres, SMART VOLATILITY momentarily raced tight inside DIVINE TEN. Passing the 1000 Metres, BULLISH FRIEND was bumped by DIVINE TEN which shifted in away from the heels of BOBO DRAGON (H W Lai) which shifted in when not properly clear. H W Lai was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Over the final 200 Metres, AEROVELOCITY hung in under pressure. Throughout the race, GO BABY GO travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by C Y Ho, the rider of SMART VOLATILITY, which finished 4th, against AEROVELOCITY (Z Purton) which finished first, alleging interference to his mount over the final 100 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned, the Stewards found that near the 50 Metres SMART VOLATILITY was checked when crowded for room between DIVINE TEN which shifted out marginally and AEROVELOCITY which shifted in. Having in mind the margin that AEROVELOCITY had over SMART VOLATILITY at the time that the interference occurred and the proximity of the incident to the finishing line, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had the interference not occurred SMART VOLATILITY would have beaten AEROVELOCITY and accordingly the protest/objection was overruled. At a subsequent inquiry, Z Purton was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 50 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent AEROVELOCITY from shifting in when not clear of SMART VOLATILITY, causing that horse to be checked when crowded for room between AEROVELOCITY and DIVINE TEN which shifted out marginally. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 19 June 2014 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 Wednesday, 11 June 2014. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Jockey Purton’s good race riding record during the current racing season. A veterinary inspection of CHARLES THE GREAT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. AEROVELOCITY and DIVINE TEN were sent for sampling.