01/10/2007  Shatin  Race 9

As Apprentice K T Yeung, the declared rider of SAN LORENZO, was overweight, permission was given for Apprentice H W Lai to be substituted. Apprentice Yeung was fined $4,000 for accepting a ride for which he was found to be overweight. When being loaded, POCKET MONEY made contact with the back gate of its stall. POCKET MONEY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. At the 1300 Metres, GREEN BIRDIE was steadied when crowded for room inside SURVEY SURVEY (Apprentice K L Chui) which initially shifted in of its own accord and then shifted in further away from SAN LORENZO which also shifted ground. In the circumstances, Apprentice Chui was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. E Saint-Martin (EGYPTIAN RA) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of DOWN TOWN, causing that horse to be carried in across the rightful running of JOYFUL WINNER which as a result was checked. In the circumstances of this case, the Stewards considered the appropriate penalty was for E Saint-Martin's licence to ride in races be suspended until Monday 29 October 2007 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of this suspension is deferred until Monday 22 October 2007, the day on which Jockey Saint-Martin was eligible to resume race riding from a prior suspension. In addition, E Saint-Martin was fined $35,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. Shortly after this incident, POCKET MONEY was checked and SURVEY SURVEY hampered when crowded for room inside JOYFUL WINNER (D Beadman) which after being interfered with momentarily shifted in. In the circumstances, no action was taken, however, D Beadman was advised to do his utmost to protect his fellow riders. Near the 800 Metres, DAVE'S BEST was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, SOUNDS BEST was steadied away from the heels of GREEN BIRDIE which hung out and was steadied away from the heels of SURVEY SURVEY. After this incident, GREEN BIRDIE continued to hang out in the middle stages. For some distance approaching and passing the 300 Metres, GREEN BIRDIE had difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 150 Metres, JOYFUL WINNER was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between SURVEY SURVEY and POCKET MONEY, both of which shifted ground. At the 50 Metres, DAVE'S BEST, which was giving ground, was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between SURVEY SURVEY and GREEN BIRDIE which got its head on the side and shifted out away from THE DUKE which shifted out slightly. No action was taken. Over the concluding stages, DOWN TOWN and ABLE ONE raced tight with DOWN TOWN being close to the heels of TIBER and ABLE ONE awkwardly placed inside THE DUKE. Because of this, DOWN TOWN and ABLE ONE were not ridden out to the end of the race as they normally would be. For the major part of the Home Straight, DOWN TOWN and ABLE ONE had difficulty obtaining clear running. When questioned regarding the poor performance of JOYFUL WINNER, D Beadman said after receiving interference in the early stages of the race, JOYFUL WINNER did not appear to concentrate. He said in the middle stages JOYFUL WINNER travelled satisfactorily. He said after straightening he shifted JOYFUL WINNER into clear running and the horse responded to his riding for only a short distance before commencing to give ground. JOYFUL WINNER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL WINNER after the race did not show any significant findings. TIBER and POCKET MONEY were sent for sampling.