01/02/2009  Shatin  Race 3

POTPOURRI was slow to begin. COVER BOY was slow into stride. Apprentice K C Leung (ANIMATION) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HEIMORI, causing that horse to be crowded for room and carried in which in turn caused crowding on its inside to COVER BOY and SUPER FANTASY, resulting in both horses being severely hampered and checked. Apprentice Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 26 February 2009 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 15 February 2009. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, SUPER FANTASY was steadied away from the heels of SUPER CHARGE which got its head up and lost ground when being steadied away from the heels of SICHUAN HERO which in turn was steadied away from the heels of SPEED AND GOLD which steadied the tempo of the race at this time. On straightening, SICHUAN HERO was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of SPEED AND GOLD which was giving ground. Near the 150 Metres, SICHUAN HERO, which was closing the race off strongly, had some difficulty obtaining clear running on the inside of PEARL HALO. Just prior to the winning post, Apprentice K C Leung (ANIMATION), which in the Straight had been hanging in and proving difficult to ride, dropped his whip. Throughout the race, ANIMATION travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C Soumillon (FIRST BABY) explained he had been instructed from the inside barrier to ride the horse which usually races in a rearward position where it was comfortable. He said it was hoped FIRST BABY would be further forward than usual because of the anticipated slow tempo of the race, however he was asked not to ride his mount along in the early stages to have it in a forward position as if he did this FIRST BABY might fail to finish the race off. He said FIRST BABY began on terms, then failed to muster natural speed and as a consequence travelled at the rear as is usual. He said FIRST BABY was travelling comfortably approaching the 1200 Metres, however at that time a number of runners in front of him were checked as a consequence of interference. He said when this occurred he steadied FIRST BABY and shifted out to avoid the horses which were being interfered with. He said shortly afterwards the tempo of the race commenced to steady and he therefore felt it would be in the best interest of FIRST BABY to remain racing away from the rail in a position with cover behind HEIMORI. He said making the turn at the 800 Metres when HEIMORI was in a three wide position, COVER BOY shifted out, causing FIRST BABY to be carried to a four wide position without cover. He said he again obtained cover after the 600 Metres when COVER BOY shifted back in. He said in the early part of the Straight he followed HEIMORI forward as that horse improved its position and at the 350 Metres when he endeavoured to shift out into clear running, FIRST BABY commenced to hang in and raced tight with SUPER CHARGE. He said after the 300 Metres when in clear running FIRST BABY finished the race off nicely. FIRST BABY, PEARL HALO and HEIMORI were sent for sampling.