25/05/2008  Shatin  Race 5

RED WINE HONEY was withdrawn on 23.5.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (colic) and was replaced by first Standby Declared Starter SAMBUOYANT (G Boss). HAPPY ALL AROUND was withdrawn on 24.5.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by second Standby Declared Starter DECAGONAL (Apprentice K L Chui). Before being allowed to race again, RED WINE HONEY and HAPPY ALL AROUND will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUNNY RIVIERA was slow to begin. At the 1700 Metres, ROCKALOT was steadied and taken back in an endeavour to find a position with cover. Near the 1400 Metres, DECAGONAL, which was travelling wide and without cover, was ridden along to go forward and shift across to race outside the lead. After the 1400 Metres, MEATH was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 1100 Metres, HAPPY HEROES became unbalanced after being bumped by ROCKALOT which shifted in. At the 700 Metres, EMBRACES was steadied away from the heels of KING’S COURT. On straightening, KING OF SHAVER was bumped and carried wider by KING’S COURT which shifted out to obtain clear running. In the early part of the Straight, HAPPY HEROES had difficulty obtaining clear running and at the 300 Metres was steadied when unable to improve between DECAGONAL and LOHAN. At the 350 Metres, BROWN BEAUTY was checked when disappointed for running inside SAMBUOYANT (G Boss) which after having shifted out for a short distance then shifted back in slightly. G Boss was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. C W Wong (LOHAN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HAPPY HEROES, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and be checked. C W Wong was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 19 June 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday 8 June 2008. In addition, C W Wong was fined $10,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. Following the running of this race, a track attendant handed to the Stewards a piece of lead which weighed 0.5 lb and had been located on the track just prior to the winning post. The Stewards established this piece of lead belonged to C W Wong, the rider of LOHAN. C W Wong pleaded guilty to a charge of having failed to properly secure in a rider’s lead bag or saddle pouch a piece of lead which he had included in his weight for the purpose of riding LOHAN in this race. In considering what they believed to be the appropriate penalty, the Stewards took into account that this piece of lead falling from C W Wong’s saddle had not resulted in him weighing in at less than the allowable weight and therefore LOHAN was not disqualified. In the circumstances, C W Wong was fined $15,000. ROCKET AND GOLD was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of ROCKET AND GOLD after the race did not show any significant findings. DECAGONAL was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, DECAGONAL was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse had a continuous displacement of the soft palate. EMBRACES and AMAZING CHOICE were sent for sampling.