06/01/2008  Shatin  Race 2

HELLO GIBRALTAR was slow to begin, then lost further ground when crowded for room between KA KA SMART and BOLD CHAMPION which shifted out. MAJESTIC HEART began awkwardly, then for some distance refused to stride out and trailed the field throughout. The performance of MAJESTIC HEART was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MAJESTIC HEART will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Y T Cheng (CITY SURFER) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 1400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of JADE CHINA and SPIRIT OF LO PAN, causing those horses to lose their rightful running and be checked. Y T Cheng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 17 January 2008 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 next Wednesday 9 January 2008. In addition, Y T Cheng was fined $35,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. Near the 800 Metres, MEGA BULLET was steadied away from the heels of JAMESINA. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, ENERGETIC BOY became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by HELLO GIBRALTAR which shifted out. Shortly after this, HELLO GIBRALTAR was unable to maintain its position between MEGA BULLET and ENERGETIC BOY which shifted in slightly. Making the turn after the 800 Metres, CITY SURFER got its head on the side and was inclined to hang out. For a considerable distance after the 400 Metres, BOLD CHAMPION had difficulty obtaining clear running. From after the 400 Metres until after the 300 Metres, JAMESINA was held up and unable to obtain clear running. In the Straight, MEGA BULLET hung in and proved difficult to ride and near the 200 Metres was steadied when crowded for room between NOBLE TWINS and ENERGETIC BOY which at this time got its head up and commenced to hang out, obliging A Delpech, its rider, to stop riding and straighten his mount. After the 200 Metres, MEGA BULLET, which continued to hang in, was steadied away from the heels of ENERGETIC BOY. At the 150 Metres, BOLD CHAMPION was checked when disappointed for running between KA KA SMART and JOYFUL WORLD which shifted in after being initially carried in by JAMESINA (C Soumillon). As C Soumillon straightened his mount, he was advised in the circumstances to exercise greater care. The declaration of weighed in was deferred as the Stewards were of the opinion an incident occurred over the concluding stages which cast doubt on whether JAMESINA ought to be declared the winner. D Whyte, the rider of SPIRIT OF LO PAN, second placegetter, also lodged a protest/objection against JAMESINA being declared the winner alleging interference over the concluding stages. The evidence disclosed that after the 100 Metres SPIRIT OF LO PAN drifted in of its own accord but then straightened and then over about the final 30 Metres was bumped on several occasions and carried away from its rightful running by JAMESINA which at this time shifted out. The Stewards formed the opinion, bearing in mind the short head margin between the horses at the end of the race, that had the interference which did take place over the final 30 Metres not occurred, SPIRIT OF LO PAN would have finished in front of JAMESINA, therefore the protest/objection was sustained and accordingly JAMESINA was placed immediately behind SPIRIT OF LO PAN. The amended placings became No. 7 SPIRIT OF LO PAN, 1st; No. 3 JAMESINA, 2nd; No. 12 KING OF SPADES, 3rd; and No. 4 JOYFUL WORLD, 4th. Throughout the race, JOYFUL WORLD travelled wide and without cover. MEGA BULLET was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MEGA BULLET after the race did not show any significant findings. SPIRIT OF LO PAN and JAMESINA were sent for sampling.