01/11/2017  Shatin  Race 5

NAMJONG INVINCIBLE began awkwardly and lost ground. FIVE STARS AGENT shifted out at the start and inconvenienced THE JOY OF GIVING. SURE PEACE and ARGENTUM bumped on jumping. From a wide barrier, IMPERIAL CONCORDE was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion, THE JOY OF GIVING was momentarily eased away from the heels of SMART BABY. T Berry (SPICY KAKA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of NAMJONG INVINCIBLE, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. T Berry was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 8 November 2017 and to expire on Sunday, 12 November 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Berry’s good race riding record. Rounding the Home Turn, BEST EFFORT became unbalanced when racing tight between GRAN MASTER and SPARKLING SWORD which shifted out. At the entrance to the Straight, SURE PEACE was shifted out away from the heels of THE JOY OF GIVING. Approaching the 100 Metres, the whip of M L Yeung (BEST EFFORT) was knocked from his grasp by the whip of Apprentice H N Wong (FIVE STARS AGENT). For the majority of the race, GOAL FOR GOLD and ARGENTUM travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Apprentice H T Mo (SPARKLING SWORD) reported that his mount was inclined to lay out throughout the race. BEST EFFORT, IMPERIAL CONCORDE and FIVE STARS AGENT were sent for sampling.