11/11/2007  Shatin  Race 1

VICTORY START began awkwardly. NIGHT HUNTER III was slow to begin. SPRING SMILES began awkwardly, then lost further ground when checked as a result of being crowded for room between OWNERS LAD and SIMPLY JOY which was carried out by MONTE CRISTO which shifted ground on jumping. After the 1200 Metres, FOREST FOUNTAIN was steadied away from the heels of TELEWIN which had its head on the side and shifted in away from MAGI JOY. Near the 200 Metres, NIGHT HUNTER III was shifted out to continue going forward. Over the final 100 Metres, BLISS STAR hung out. In the Straight, OWNERS LAD hung in and SPARE A DIME hung out. For the major part of the race, ACTIVE VALOUR travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight hung in. C K Tong (GREAT HERO) was not able to offer any explanation for the horse’s poor performance. He said the second quarter of the race was run at a quick tempo, however, this did not account for the manner in which the horse gave ground shortly after straightening. GREAT HERO was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of GREAT HERO after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of GREAT HERO, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT HERO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. OWNERS LAD was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, OWNERS LAD was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, OWNERS LAD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SPARE A DIME, MONTE CRISTO and FOREST FOUNTAIN were sent for sampling. B Prebble (BLISS STAR) was found guilty of a charge of misconduct in that after the field had eased down following the race he rode his mount towards SILLY BOY (Apprentice K T Yeung) in such a manner as to result in the head of BLISS STAR coming into contact with the body of Apprentice Yeung. For this breach, B Prebble was fined $50,000 [Rule 155(5)]. Apprentice K T Yeung (SILLY BOY) was found guilty of a charge of improper use of the whip in that after being struck in the body by the head of BLISS STAR, he did then strike BLISS STAR in the vicinity of the head with his whip. For this breach, Apprentice Yeung was fined $10,000 [Stewards Instruction 22(3)]. Apprentice Yeung pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct in that after having returned to the Jockeys Room following the race he did confront and physically push B Prebble. In the circumstances of this matter, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for Apprentice Yeung’s licence to ride in races be suspended for a period to expire on Monday 26 November 2007 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting next Wednesday 14 November 2007. B Prebble pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct in that in the Jockeys Room following the race, after being pushed by Apprentice Yeung, he did respond by then physically pushing Apprentice Yeung. In the circumstances of this matter, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was that he be fined a sum of $20,000.