02/04/2017  Shatin  Race 5

Whilst in the saddling stalls, BIG FLASH had its right front plate refitted. BIG FLASH was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. MONEY BOY and SICHUAN BOSS began awkwardly. From wide barriers, MORDICUS and CITY WINNER were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. BIG FLASH lost its right front plate after the 1100 Metres. Passing the 1000 Metres, OPEN HOUSE got its head on the side, shifted in and brushed the running rail. O Doleuze (BIG FLASH) pleaded guilty to 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 MONEY BOY, 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 commence on Wednesday, 12 April 017 and to expire on Tuesday, 18 April 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Doleuze’s good race riding record. Passing the 400 Metres, MONEY BOY was momentarily awkwardly placed outside the heels of BIG FLASH. Near the 350 Metres, LUCKY GUY was taken wider by CLASSIC VINEGAR which shifted out under pressure. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that CLASSIC VINEGAR had bled from both nostrils. The performance of OPEN HOUSE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, OPEN HOUSE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Throughout the race, CLASSIC VINEGAR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Mr C S Shum, the trainer of PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT, stated that following its last start which was first up since suffering a bleeding attack in November 2016, PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT had been required to stalls test satisfactorily due to the horse having begun very awkwardly. He said in today’s race he asked Apprentice H T Mo to ensure that PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT began well and as it was anticipated that MULTIMAX was the only horse which would show genuine speed in the early stages, he also asked Apprentice Mo to shift PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT across to race outside that horse in order to utilize the 10 lb claiming allowance. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BIG FLASH lost its left front plate after the race. A veterinary inspection of BREEDERS’ STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MONEY BOY, BIG FLASH and LUCKY GUY were sent for sampling.