07/10/2007  Shatin  Race 1

GOOD TRIO was slow to begin and then was hampered by LEADER which shifted in. JADE DANCER and KEEN TAKER began awkwardly. CALL ME CULLEN was slow to begin. CALIFORNIA HEART was slow to begin and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, LEADER was steadied away from the heels of CALIFORNIA HEART which shifted in. F Coetzee (GAUCHO) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 700 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of JADE DANCER, causing that horse to be checked and lose its rightful running. F Coetzee was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 29 October 2007 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 21 October 2007. In addition, F Coetzee was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. Rounding the Home Turn, BUDDIES SPIRIT, which was commencing to give ground, shifted in slightly, resulting in AMAZING FORTUNE having to be steadied and shifted to the outside of BUDDIES SPIRIT to obtain clear running. CALL ME CULLEN, which was following AMAZING FORTUNE, was hampered in consequence. Shortly after the 400 Metres, SUPER BALL was steadied and shifted to the inside of GOOD TRIO which at this time shifted out into clear running. Close to the line, CALIFORNIA HEART and SUPER BALL bumped, resulting in CALIFORNIA HEART becoming unbalanced. In the Straight, JADE DANCER hung in and then close to the line was inconvenienced when KEEN TAKER shifted out. Throughout the race, BUDDIES SPIRIT travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned regarding the poor performance of CENTURY SUPER STAR, O Doleuze said the horse appeared reluctant to race amongst runners today and as such was not comfortable throughout the race. JADE DANCER, CENTURY SUPER STAR and BUDDIES SPIRIT were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of JADE DANCER, CENTURY SUPER STAR and BUDDIES SPIRIT after the race did not show any significant findings. KEEN TAKER, GOOD TRIO and GAUCHO were sent for sampling. Additional Veterinary Reports (released on 8 October 2007) The Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison reported that SUPER BALL was this morning found to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER BALL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.