21/10/2007  Shatin  Race 6

LAMBRO was withdrawn on 20.10.07 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter EVERGREEN. Before being allowed to race again, LAMBRO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. While parading behind the barriers, FAVOURITE SUPREME threw its head up and struck S K Sit, its rider, on the nose. S K Sit was examined by the medical officers who said in their opinion he was suitable to fulfil his riding engagement. MELLIFLUOUS bounded in the air at the start and lost ground. On jumping, NICE KING became unbalanced when crowded for room between BAJAN BELL and CARRY GOOD NEWS. BILLION was slow to begin. In the early stages, from the outside barrier, CARRY GOOD NEWS was shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 1000 Metres, MELLIFLUOUS, which had been ridden along to make up ground, was checked when disappointed for running between SPARKLING STAR and EVERGREEN which at this time shifted in. In the circumstances, no action was taken. P H Lo (RELY ON ME) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MERIDIAN PRIDE, causing that horse to be unnecessarily crowded for room, lose its running to which it was rightfully entitled and be checked. P H Lo was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Wednesday 7 November 2007 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Sunday 28 October 2007. Near the 800 Metres, MERIDIAN PRIDE got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of RELY ON ME which shifted in when not properly clear. GOAL KEEPER, which was following, was steadied in consequence. In the circumstances, P H Lo was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, NICE KING was steadied away from the heels of FAVOURITE SUPREME after being carried wider by BAJAN BELL which shifted ground when proving difficult to settle. After the 800 Metres, BULLISH WIN raced without cover. Also after the 800 Metres, FAVOURITE SUPREME was carried wider by WISE LOVER. After this, FAVOURITE SUPREME travelled wide and without cover. At the 700 Metres, EVERGREEN got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of GOAL KEEPER. Near the 600 Metres, CARRY GOOD NEWS, which was racing keenly, was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of NICE KING. Making the Home Turn and in the Straight, SCOOT DA LOOT hung out. Near the 400 Metres, BAJAN BELL was steadied and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BULLISH WIN. G Boss (NICE KING) explained in his opinion the horse was not suited by the tempo of the race in the early and middle stages. He said because the race was not run at a quick tempo, NICE KING travelled keenly for him and was inclined to hang out. He said when travelling like this NICE KING did not feel comfortable in its action. He said prior to straightening he steadied and shifted out from behind FAVOURITE SUPREME, however, when placed under pressure NICE KING failed to close the race off and continued to hang out. He said in his opinion the performance of NICE KING was attributable to the manner in which the race was run. S K Sit (FAVOURITE SUPREME) was not able to explain the poor performance of the horse. He said despite travelling wide and without cover in the middle stages, the horse disappointed him in the manner in which it failed to respond to his riding in the early part of the Straight. FAVOURITE SUPREME was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, FAVOURITE SUPREME was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. WISE LOVER and SCOOT DA LOOT were sent for sampling.