08/11/2008  Shatin  Race 5

DASH began awkwardly. When the gates opened, BREAKING POINT lifted its front feet off the ground and as a consequence was slow to muster speed. Making the first turn, BREAKING POINT lost its position after bumping with LUCKY TYCOON while awkwardly placed inside the heels of SUNNY SMILES which shifted in when barely clear. No action was taken. As a consequence, COULDN’T CARE LESS and NEEDLES AND THREAD were hampered and taken across. In the early and middle stages, SUNNY SMILES travelled wide and without cover. When the tempo of the race steadied after the 1000 Metres, LUCKY TYCOON was steadied away from the heels of DASH. This caused some inconvenience to NEEDLES AND THREAD which was also awkwardly placed inside the heels of PEARL HALO. No action was taken. Near the 800 Metres, DASH, which was racing close to the heels of GOLDEN TREASURE, bumped with PEARL HALO and as a consequence became badly unbalanced. In the middle stages, JOY TRUMPS hung in and BAYVIEW GREYSLEW proved difficult to settle. Making the turn at the 700 Metres, PEARL HALO was left racing wide and without cover. W C Marwing (SUNNY SMILES) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that making the turn at the 700 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of TREASURE HUNT, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and be checked. W C Marwing was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 27 November 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 on Wednesday 19 November 2008. Prior to straightening, LUCKY TYCOON was steadied when awkwardly placed between BAYVIEW GREYSLEW and NEEDLES AND THREAD. At the 100 Metres, JOY TRUMPS was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between PEARL HALO and BAYVIEW GREYSLEW which shifted out. When questioned regarding the poor performance of LUCKY TYCOON, Y T Cheng explained he was able to obtain a position slightly forward of midfield, the same as when the horse was successful at its last start. He said LUCKY TYCOON travelled satisfactorily throughout the run. He said he had hoped to commence improving his position from the 600 Metres, however he was not able to do so as he was racing amongst horses. He said prior to straightening he had been tightened for room between BAYVIEW GREYSLEW and NEEDLES AND THREAD and as a consequence was not able to improve to follow DASH forward. He said after straightening he then shifted LUCKY TYCOON out into clear running, however, the horse responded only fairly to his riding. LUCKY TYCOON was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY TYCOON after the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY SMILES, DASH and GOLDEN TREASURE were sent for sampling.