25/11/2007  Shatin  Race 1

JUGGERNAUT, second Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 24.11.07 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, JUGGERNAUT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After arriving at the Start, it was noted TOUT VA BIEN had lost its left front plate. TOUT VA BIEN was replated and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. After being boxed, TOUT VA BIEN became fractious, reared and dislodged O Doleuze, its rider. Before being allowed to race again, TOUT VA BIEN will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. TREASURE COLT was a little slow to begin, then shortly afterwards lost further ground when being steadied away from the heels of AMAZING JOURNEY. Shortly after the start, WIN MORE and TOUT VA BIEN were crowded for room between LUCIA and CALL ME CULLEN which began awkwardly and shifted out. In this incident, CALL ME CULLEN, WIN MORE and TOUT VA BIEN lost ground and LUCIA became unbalanced. At the 600 Metres, TREASURE COLT, which was having difficulty obtaining clear running, was awkwardly placed between CRAIG’S DRAGON and TOUT VA BIEN which shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of LUCIA. For some distance after this, TREASURE COLT continued to have difficulty obtaining clear running and near the 400 Metres was checked when disappointed for running between CRAIG’S DRAGON and TOUT VA BIEN. Near the 200 Metres, HEART TO HEART was momentarily steadied when crowded for room outside SOLDIER ON. W M Lai (AMAZING JOURNEY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he shifted his mount out when not clear of LUCKY QUALITY, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and be checked. W M Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 13 December 2007 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday 5 December 2007. In addition, W M Lai was fined $15,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. At the 50 Metres, TREASURE COLT, which was closing the race off fairly, was steadied when having difficulty obtaining clear running between TOUT VA BIEN and LUCIA. Also at the 50 Metres, MEDALLION, which was closing the race off strongly, became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of TOWKAY FLYER. LUCKY QUALITY was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY QUALITY after the race did not show any significant findings. CRAIG’S DRAGON and AMAZING JOURNEY were sent for sampling.