01/10/2011  Shatin  Race 8

AMBITIOUS DRAGON jumped in at the start, resulting in MULTIGLORY, which began awkwardly, being taken in onto FLYING BLUE which was hampered. DESTINED FOR GLORY was slow to begin. VAUGIRARD was taken across behind runners soon after the start. Apprentice C Y Ho (MULTIGLORY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of FLYING BLUE, resulting in that horse being checked and in turn crowded onto SIGHT WINNER which was also checked and crowded onto BRAVE KID which was severely hampered when crowded onto CERISE CHERRY which was also hampered and became unbalanced. LET ME HANDLE IT, which was following CERISE CHERRY, shifted out off the heels of that runner, resulting in SUNNY KING being checked when taken out onto the heels of AMBITIOUS DRAGON. Apprentice Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 10 October 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension is to take immediate effect. M Chadwick (BEAUTY FLASH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the first turn near the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of FLYING BLUE, resulting in that horse being checked to avoid the heels of BEAUTY FLASH. M Chadwick was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 13 October 2011 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 Thursday, 6 October 2011. Also on the first turn, LET ME HANDLE IT lost ground abruptly when it was reluctant to hold its position inside BRAVE KID which itself was racing tight to the inside of SICHUAN SUCCESS. For some distance after the 300 Metres, LET ME HANDLE IT was held up when attempting a narrow run behind the tiring MULTIGLORY and to the inside of CERISE CHERRY. VAUGIRARD was held up for clear running from the 300 Metres until approaching the 100 Metres where it was obliged to be shifted in across the heels of SICHUAN SUCCESS. For a short distance approaching the 200 Metres, DESTINED FOR GLORY was held up for clear running. Throughout the race, SICHUAN SUCCESS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Lloyd stated that he had hoped to take up a midfield position on XTENSION, however, the horse, after beginning a little slowly, then failed to muster speed in the early stages despite being ridden along. When questioned as to why he did not avail himself of the position three wide and with cover on the back of AMBITIOUS DRAGON in the middle stages, J Lloyd stated that he was aware of that position being available, however, XTENSION was not travelling on the bit and moreover he was concerned that if he had improved to the outside of SUNNY KING in an attempt to assume this position, D Beadman, the rider of SUNNY KING, would have shifted out and forced him into a four wide position without cover. When questioned as to whether he had the opportunity to come off the back of SUNNY KING prior to straightening, J Lloyd further explained that XTENSION was not travelling well enough despite being niggled along, he maintained his position and immediately after straightening shifted out in an endeavour to follow AMBITIOUS DRAGON. He said that in the Straight XTENSION initially only responded fairly when he was using his whip in the right hand, however, after switching his whip through to the left hand near the 100 Metres, the horse responded far more generously and finished off the race strongly. J Lloyd was advised the Stewards would note his explanation, however, he was advised wherever possible he should take the opportunity to obtain more advantageous positions when they present themselves. When questioned, Z Purton stated that when it struck interference passing the 1300 Metres, he felt FLYING BLUE became unbalanced behind and lost its action. He added that he was concerned at this stage something may have gone amiss with FLYING BLUE, however, after a short distance the horse began to travel a little more kindly and assumed a forward position. He said when placed his mount under pressure at the entrance to the Straight FLYING BLUE did not let down and as he still harboured some mild concerns regarding the horse’s action, he did not ride it out fully over the concluding stages as it gave ground. A veterinary inspection of FLYING BLUE after the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had sustained mild abrasions to the right hind leg. The performance of FLYING BLUE, which weakened badly in the Straight, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, FLYING BLUE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SIGHT WINNER had sustained mild abrasions to the right hind leg. AMBITIOUS DRAGON and DESTINED FOR GLORY were sent for sampling.