06/12/2008  Shatin  Race 10

VENI VEDI VICI was withdrawn on 5.12.08 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial quantity of mucopus) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter O’REILLY RALLY (K T Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, VENI VEDI VICI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DIEGO, which was standing badly, was slow to begin. On jumping, REDRAGTOABULL and TOWERING FEELING were crowded for room between BEAUTY EXPRESS and O’REILLY RALLY which shifted out. Approaching the 1200 Metres, MEDIC FORTUNE was steadied when awkwardly placed between FLORAL EL CUENTO and ROYAL PEGASUS. Approaching the turn at the 800 Metres, ROMPING was steadied to allow SOLAR ENERGY to cross. When ROMPING steadied, SINGING DINERS which was following was checked to avoid that horse’s heels. S K Sit (SOLAR ENERGY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that commencing to make the turn at the 800 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of ANKH MORPORK, resulting in that horse losing its rightful running and being checked. S K Sit was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 15 December 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension is with immediate effect. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, FLORAL EL CUENTO when being steadied away from the heels of ROYAL PEGASUS got its head up, shifted out and bumped MEDIC FORTUNE. As a consequence, both horses became unbalanced. Shortly after this, FLORAL EL CUENTO was checked away from the heels of ROYAL PEGASUS. At the 500 Metres, SINGING DINERS was steadied away from the heels of MEDIC FORTUNE (B Prebble) which shifted out when not properly clear. B Prebble was told to exercise greater care. At the 300 Metres, FLORAL EL CUENTO, which had for some distance been held up and unable to obtain clear running, was steadied and shifted out when disappointed for running inside ROYAL PEGASUS. FLORAL EL CUENTO then continued to have difficulty finding clear running until after the 200 Metres. In the Straight, MEDIC FORTUNE hung in. M W Leung (MOMENTOUS) explained when racing over 1600 Metres at its only two starts in Hong Kong, his mount had been somewhat disappointing when travelling in a rearward position after failing to show early speed. He said today blinkers were added to the gear worn by MOMENTOUS and he was instructed to ensure to go forward and obtain a midfield position if possible. He said MOMENTOUS began well, he rode along for a short distance and when it became apparent to him near the 1200 Metres that he would be left racing wide on the track, he rode MOMENTOUS along further to cross and travel on the fence and then raced behind the lead. K L Chui (WHATABOB) said he had been instructed to ride his mount forward in the early stages and if possible obtain a position with cover. He said WHATABOB began well, he allowed the horse to show its natural early speed and shortly after the start commenced to shift in. He said as he did this O’REILLY RALLY was hard ridden to make up ground on his inside. He said when O’REILLY RALLY went forward of him, he was left racing outside a line of horses without cover. He said in his opinion if he were to have ridden WHATABOB to clear runners to his inside, he would have been left racing without cover, he therefore elected to steady his mount and come back to a midfield position, however, he continued to be unable to obtain cover. He said approaching the 500 Metres he allowed WHATABOB to improve slightly, however, WHATABOB came under pressure shortly after straightening and gave ground. Prior to concluding this matter, the Stewards wish to interview Mr D Cruz, trainer of WHATABOB, together with K L Chui on a date to be fixed. D Beadman (REDRAGTOABULL) said he had been instructed to ride the horse in a forward position as had been in the case when it was successful at its most recent start. He said he had intended to follow O’REILLY RALLY forward in the early stages. He said during the preliminary his saddle had shifted back. He said when his saddle was being adjusted behind the barriers prior to the start, REDRAGTOABULL became unsettled. He said REDRAGTOABULL continued to be unsettled in the barriers, then began awkwardly and became badly unbalanced after being bumped by O’REILLY RALLY. He said when REDRAGTOABULL had regained its balance, the majority of the field had gone forward of him and he therefore elected to ride REDRAGTOABULL quietly. He said he wished to remain racing away from the fence due to the rail placement. He said REDRAGTOABULL travelled comfortably with cover in the early stages, however, commencing to make the turn at the 800 Metres got its head up and shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of SINGING DINERS which lost ground in front of him. He said after this SINGING DINERS shifted out and as a consequence he was left racing wide and without cover. He said after the 500 Metres he allowed REDRAGTOABULL to commence improving its position gradually so as not to be giving the leaders too much of a start on straightening. He said REDRAGTOABULL failed to finish the race off in the Straight. He said in his opinion the performance of REDRAGTOABULL was due to the tough run it had endured. REDRAGTOABULL was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of REDRAGTOABULL after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the poor performance of BEAUTY EXPRESS, O Doleuze said from a wide barrier he took his mount back in the early stages to ensure it was not left racing wide and without cover. He said BEAUTY EXPRESS travelled comfortably in the early and middle stages when he followed REDRAGTOABULL. He said at the 500 Metres BEAUTY EXPRESS came under pressure and did not respond to his riding. He said BEAUTY EXPRESS did not feel comfortable in its action. He said in the Straight the action of BEAUTY EXPRESS worsened and therefore over about the final 100 Metres he did not ride his mount out. BEAUTY EXPRESS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of BEAUTY EXPRESS after the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of BEAUTY EXPRESS was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BEAUTY EXPRESS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MEDIC FORTUNE and SINGING DINERS were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MEDIC FORTUNE and SINGING DINERS after the race did not show any significant findings. O’REILLY RALLY and ROMPING were sent for sampling.