14/10/2015  Happy Valley  Race 4

Shortly after the start, JUMBO SPIRIT raced in restricted room between JOLLY GOOD STAR and WIN CHANCE which shifted out. From wide barriers, OXFORD CHARLEY, TOWERING STORM and TELEPHATIA were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When JUMBO SPIRIT was being eased out of the race approaching the 1100 Metres, TELEPHATIA, BACKBENCH BLUES and OXFORD CHARLEY, which were following, were all hampered in consequence. After this, TELEPHATIA travelled wide and without cover. Near the 600 Metres, BACKBENCH BLUES became unbalanced when reluctant to maintain its position inside ROCK THE TREE. Shortly after entering the Straight, TOWERING STORM was shifted in away from the heels of KITAYA which became unbalanced and shifted in after making slight contact with WIN CHANCE. Passing the 300 Metres, BACKBENCH BLUES was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TELEPHATIA which was giving ground. R Fourie (ROCK THE TREE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 250 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of RAPID TRIUMPH, causing that horse to be taken in onto TELEPHATIA and causing both RAPID TRIUMPH and TELEPHATIA to be unnecessarily crowded for room and to lose the running to which they were rightfully entitled. BACKBENCH BLUES, which was following, was checked away from the heels of RAPID TRIUMPH in consequence. R Fourie was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 15 November 2015 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 Sunday, 8 November 2015. When questioned, B Prebble stated that after having to ride his mount along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, he was able to have JUMBO SPIRIT racing with cover prior to the winning post on the first occasion. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion when the race was being run at a good tempo, JUMBO SPIRIT was not able to travel comfortably. He said after passing the winning post on the first occasion it was apparent to him that GO-GETTER, which was positioned to the inside of JUMBO SPIRIT, was being shifted out and as JUMBO SPIRIT was not travelling well enough to improve its position to prevent this from occurring, he was comfortable, given that the race was being run at a good tempo, to steady his mount rather than be taken into a three wide position by GO-GETTER. He said when he did this, JUMBO SPIRIT, passing the 1300 Metres, appeared to lose its action and immediately came off the bridle. He added, despite being ridden along, JUMBO SPIRIT commenced to give ground and as he was concerned for the welfare of the horse, he eased it out of the race approaching the 1100 Metres. He said when walking the horse back to the unsaddling area after the race, JUMBO SPIRIT appeared uncomfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of JUMBO SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, JUMBO SPIRIT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of WIN CHANCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KITAYA, ROCK THE TREE and TOWERING STORM were sent for sampling.