23/11/2008  Shatin  Race 10

ELITE FORTUNE was withdrawn on 22.11.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (laceration to tongue) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter MERRY WAY (G Mosse') . Before being allowed to race again, ELITE FORTUNE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. While parading behind the barriers, BLUE SKY kicked out and made contact with the rail. BLUE SKY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. After being boxed, BROTHERS IN ARMS became fractious and kicked out behind on several occasions. BROTHERS IN ARMS was removed from its stall and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse had sustained abrasions to both hind legs and was in his opinion not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of BROTHERS IN ARMS. Before being allowed to race again, BROTHERS IN ARMS will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MERRY WAY and BLUE SKY were slow to begin. TOY STORY bounded in the air at the start and on landing knuckled. BOLERO began awkwardly. SPRING SUN began awkwardly and bumped the outside gate of its stall. Throughout the race, SUPER PLUS travelled wide and without cover and in the middle stages hung out. After the 400 Metres, SPRING SUN was steadied and shifted to the outside of FOREVER FRIENDSHIP to go forward. Near the 300 Metres, WINSOME REFLECTION, which was commencing to give ground, became unbalanced in its action and blundered. Apprentice K C Leung (SALUT BEAUTE), dead heat 2nd placegetter, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ride his mount out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. In the circumstances of this case, after having considered Apprentice Leung's relative inexperience, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for his licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday 18 December 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (5 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday 30 November 2008. TOY STORY and WINSOME REFLECTION were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of TOY STORY and WINSOME REFLECTION after the race did not show any significant findings. GLENEALY STAR, BOLERO, BLUE SKY and SALUT BEAUTE were sent for sampling.