09/04/2017  Shatin  Race 7

THEWIZARDOFOZ and BAD BOY began only fairly. BAD BOY was then ridden along from the outside barrier to take up a forward position, however, passing the 1000 Metres when racing wide was steadied to obtain a position with cover. The performance of BAD BOY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BAD BOY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Near the 1150 Metres, MR STUNNING shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SUN JEWELLERY. B Prebble (LUCKY BUBBLES) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after initially shifting in near the 1000 Metres when not clear of SUN JEWELLERY, causing that horse to be crowded onto BLIZZARD, he failed to make sufficient endeavour to shift LUCKY BUBBLES out in a timely manner for some distance after the 1000 Metres to relieve the tightening which resulted in SUN JEWELLERY, BLIZZARD and THEWIZARDOFOZ all being hampered when unnecessarily tightened for room. B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 12 April 2017 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 Prebble’s good race riding record. When LUCKY BUBBLES was eventually shifted out to relieve the tightening to SUN JEWELLERY, BLIZZARD and THEWIZARDOFOZ after the 900 Metres, LUCKY BUBBLES became awkward on the heels of DASHING FELLOW and shifted out further. LUCKY YEAR was awkwardly placed outside LUCKY BUBBLES as a consequence. LUCKY YEAR, which was racing wide, was then steadied to obtain a position with cover. Passing the 800 Metres, BLIZZARD raced in restricted room between THEWIZARDOFOZ and SUN JEWELLERY which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of DASHING FELLOW. After the 700 Metres, LUCKY BUBBLES was left racing wide and without cover. BLIZZARD had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Approaching the 300 Metres, THEWIZARDOFOZ raced in restricted room between DASHING FELLOW and SUN JEWELLERY when improving into tight running between those horses. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred near the 200 Metres which cast sufficient doubt as to whether LUCKY BUBBLES should be declared the 3rd placegetter of the race. Subsequently Mr P F Yiu, the trainer of BLIZZARD, which dead-heated for 4th position, lodged a formal protest/objection on behalf of the connections of BLIZZARD alleging interference near the 200 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the official videos, the Stewards found that approaching the 200 Metres clear running became available for BLIZZARD between SUN JEWELLERY and LUCKY BUBBLES and at this time BLIZZARD was racing about three quarters of a length behind LUCKY BUBBLES. It was further established that passing the 200 Metres LUCKY BUBBLES shifted in under pressure, resulting in BLIZZARD being disappointed for running inside that horse and having to be steadied and shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. As the Stewards were of the opinion that BLIZZARD was entitled to proceed into the run between SUN JEWELLERY and LUCKY BUBBLES and that the reason for BLIZZARD not being able to so proceed was as a result of LUCKY BUBBLES shifting in and also having regard to the manner in which the horses finished off the race, they were comfortably satisfied that had LUCKY BUBBLES not shifted into the running of BLIZZARD passing the 200 Metres, BLIZZARD would have finished in front of LUCKY BUBBLES. Accordingly, the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read, No. 4, MR STUNNING, 1st; No. 2, PENIAPHOBIA, 2nd; No. 3, BLIZZARD, 3rd (dead heat); No. 7, THEWIZARDOFOZ, 3rd (dead heat); and No. 1, LUCKY BUBBLES, 5th. B Prebble was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he makes every endeavour in similar circumstances to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. N Rawiller was also advised of his obligation to ensure that he utilizes all available avenues to decide whether to lodge a protest/objection in order to safeguard the interests of his connections. LUCKY BUBBLES, MR STUNNING and PENIAPHOBIA were sent for sampling.