04/05/2008  Shatin  Race 6

Making the first turn, WIN PRACTITIONER was steadied away from the heels of GROWL which became unbalanced when being steadied away from the heels of AGILITY which shifted out from behind SOUTH BREEZE. In this incident, inconvenience was also caused to FLYING TAMARI which was carried wider. Approaching the 1200 Metres, GROWL, which was left racing without cover, was allowed to stride forward to improve its position. Approaching the turn at the 1200 Metres, REALLY HAPPY was steadied after initially being carried wider by ALBERTINELLI which at this time shifted to the outside of LU YUE. Some inconvenience was also caused to EVER BRIGHT which was steadied away from the heels of REALLY HAPPY. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, GO JOHNNY GO was steadied away from the heels of PLASTIC POLYMER. O Doleuze (SYLLABUS) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 700 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of PLASTIC POLYMER, causing that horse to be carried out across the rightful running of GO JOHNNY GO which was checked. As a consequence of GO JOHNNY GO being checked, that horse shifted out when not clear of WIN PRACTITIONER which as a result was severely checked, blundered and almost fell. FLYING TAMARI, which was racing to the outside of WIN PRACTITIONER, was hampered and became unbalanced. As the Stewards are aware the Club had made an application to stage a racemeeting on Wednesday 14 May 2008, they decided in the circumstances of this case that the appropriate penalty was for O Doleuze’s licence to ride in races be suspended for a period to expire on Monday 26 May 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension were deferred until after the Singapore Turf Club racemeeting to be held on Sunday 18 May 2008. If approval is not given for the Club to stage a racemeeting on 14 May 2008, O Doleuze was advised the Stewards will make a further order. In addition, O Doleuze was fined $80,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating two further racedays. Making the Home Turn, SOUTH BREEZE was steadied when awkwardly placed inside FAMOUS DANCER which at this time hung in. For some distance after straightening, GO JOHNNY GO had difficulty obtaining clear running. In the Straight, SOUTH BREEZE hung out. Approaching the winning post, CRUSADER OF GOLD raced tight inside FLYING TAMARI which got its head on the side and commenced to shift in. When questioned, Y T Cheng (LU YUE) said he had been instructed to go forward and obtain the lead on the fence. He said he was required to make use of LU YUE in the first 400 metres of the race to cross ALBERTINELLI and lead as instructed. He said he was aware the tempo for this section of the race was fast and he therefore gradually endeavoured to reduce the tempo during the second quarter of the race. He said in the Back Straight LU YUE relaxed and travelled comfortably, however, came under pressure prior to straightening and failed to run out the distance of today’s race. Mr C H Yip, trainer of LU YUE, confirmed the riding instructions issued to Y T Cheng and said he was satisfied with the ride. He said in his opinion the tempo of today’s race was not excessively quick. He did point out LU YUE had been successful over distances of shorter than today’s 2400 Metres when leading at a reasonable tempo. He said in his opinion LU YUE did not run out the distance of today’s race and he will now consider dropping the horse back to 1800 Metres for its next race start. Mr Yip and Y T Cheng were told their explanations would be reported and Y T Cheng was further told to exercise care in that he does not overdo the riding instructions issued to him. When questioned regarding the poor performance of REALLY HAPPY, Apprentice K L Chui explained he rode the horse in a forward position as he was instructed in what was a quickly run race. He said REALLY HAPPY travelled satisfactorily until making the Home Turn when the horse failed to respond to his riding. He said in his opinion REALLY HAPPY did not appreciate the increase in distance to the 2400 Metres of today’s race given it was only the horse’s 4th start in Hong Kong. REALLY HAPPY was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, REALLY HAPPY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said there were no significant findings other than the horse had lost its right hind plate. LU YUE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LU YUE after the race did not show any significant findings. EVER BRIGHT and GO JOHNNY GO were sent for sampling.