23/12/2007  Shatin  Race 6

After arriving at the Start, the tongue tie fitted to MASTERY was replaced. SOUNDS FANTASTIC bounded in the air at the start and lost a considerable amount of ground. MASTERY, SEASONS KNACK and FANTUZZI were slow to begin. In the early stages, LUCKY MONEY travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 1500 Metres, GREEN IN BLUE broke down. FORTUNE WARRIOR, FANTUZZI and SOUNDS FANTASTIC, which were following, were checked in consequence. Inconvenience was also caused to MASTERY, SEASONS KNACK and DASH AHEAD. Apprentice C W Wong (INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that for some distance approaching the 700 Metres he permitted his mount to race close to the heels of LIAOBUQI which resulted in INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS striking the heels of LIAOBUQI near the 700 Metres, blundering and almost falling, causing himself to be almost dislodged. When this incident occurred, several runners in the field were disorganised, the sufferers being SIR LAGO, FORTUNE WARRIOR, ELECTRONICS SPUR, SEASONS KNACK, FANTUZZI, MASTERY and SOUNDS FANTASTIC, all of which were checked severely. FANTASTIC GUY was also hampered. Apprentice Wong was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 17 January 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Tuesday 1 January 2008. In the Straight, INDUSTRIAL EXPRESS (D Whyte) hung out, at the 200 Metres shifted ground, bumped FANTASTIC GUY and over the concluding stages continued to shift wider. D Whyte was advised in similar circumstances he would be expected to straighten his mount. Just prior to the winning post, D Whyte dropped his right rein. D Whyte explained after the 1000 Metres due to the tempo of the race, he shifted his mount to a three wide position. He said INDUSTRIAL EXPRESS, which was racing in blinkers for the first occasion, had shown in the past that it is best suited where possible being ridden in a manner in which it is not required to break its stride. FANTUZZI was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, FANTUZZI 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, FANTUZZI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse had sustained a laceration to its right front elbow. Before being allowed to race again, INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FANTASTIC GUY and INDUSTRIAL EXPRESS were sent for sampling.