18/05/2008  Shatin  Race 9

ROYAL PRINCE was withdrawn on 17.5.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore foot). Before being allowed to race again, ROYAL PRINCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SURVEY SURVEY began awkwardly and lost ground. HELENE BRILLIANT began awkwardly. HAWKES BAY was slow into stride. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SIR ERNESTO failed to muster speed, then for a considerable distance after the 1200 Metres proved difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied away from the heels of HELENE BRILLIANT. Z Purton (VIVA MACAU) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of FELLOWSHIP, resulting in that horse being carried in, crowded for room and checked to avoid the heels of SURVEY SURVEY. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 2 June 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday 25 May 2008. In addition, Z Purton was fined $15,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. At the 800 Metres, HELENE BRILLIANT blundered and was checked when racing to the inside of the hindquarters of NEVER LOOK BACK which in turn was racing inside JOY AND FUN (G Boss). After considering all the evidence including the official video of the incident which was inconclusive, the Stewards could not be satisfied to the requisite standard that G Boss ought be charged with a breach of the Rules, however, he was told he was receiving the benefit of a doubt. Near the 700 Metres, SURVEY SURVEY was hampered by SIR ERNESTO which shifted out when being checked away from the heels of HELENE BRILLIANT. At the 700 Metres, NEVER LOOK BACK became unbalanced after being bumped by JOY AND FUN which shifted in. For a considerable distance after straightening, NEVER LOOK BACK was held up and unable to improve. Also for a considerable distance after straightening, HAWKES BAY had difficulty obtaining clear running. Just prior to the winning post, HAWKES BAY, which had been endeavouring to improve into narrow running on the inside of JOY AND FUN, was checked when disappointed for this run. As the Stewards believed HAWKES BAY had improved into narrow running on the inside of JOY AND FUN and having in mind the slight shift made by JOY AND FUN as HAWKES BAY was endeavouring to improve to its inside, in the circumstances they did not consider it appropriate for any action to be taken, nonetheless G Boss was told to exercise care. M Nunes (ABLE ONE) said he was instructed to ride the horse quietly in what was anticipated to be a race run at a good tempo. He said in accordance with those instructions he took ABLE ONE back in the early stages, however, the tempo of the race was slow and ABLE ONE proved difficult to settle. He said ABLE ONE had been disappointing in the manner in which it had been closing its races off when being ridden in a forward position recently. HELENE BRILLIANT was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. ABLE ONE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of HELENE BRILLIANT and ABLE ONE after the race did not show any significant findings. JOY AND FUN and FELLOWSHIP were sent for sampling. Additional Veterinary Reports (released on 19 May 2008) HELENE BRILLIANT was examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison after the race. He said at that time there were no significant findings. HELENE BRILLIANT was again examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison at the stables of Trainer A S Cruz this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, HELENE BRILLIANT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.