27/12/2011  Shatin  Race 4

DALKAN began awkwardly. SUPER HORSE was taken across behind runners soon after the start. N Callan (COMPACT YARN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 2000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of WATCH FIRST, resulting in WATCH FIRST being hampered and taken in across the rightful running of MOUNT VICTORY which was checked and in turn crowded onto ZEPHYRUS which in turn was checked. N Callan was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 9 January 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting next Sunday, 1 January 2012. On the Home Turn, EAGLE SPIRIT, which was attempting to establish clear running to the outside of WATCH FIRST, was checked away from the heels of that runner which was taken out by HAPPY EAGLE (W M Lai). In this incident, EAGLE SPIRIT shifted out and bumped SUPER HORSE which became unbalanced and shifted out onto TELECOM GOGO which was checked and forced wider. Whilst the Stewards were not entirely satisfied that EAGLE SPIRIT had fully obtained the position to the outside of WATCH FIRST in this incident, nonetheless W M Lai was severely reprimanded for carrying WATCH FIRST outwards at this stage of the race. He was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. D Whyte reported that passing the 300 Metres MOUNT VICTORY commenced to hang in and soon afterwards became awkward on the heels of REDOUTE STAR which shifted out slightly as it commenced to give ground. Immediately following this incident, MOUNT VICTORY was directed to the inside of the heels of REDOUTE STAR, however, continued to hang in and proved difficult to ride. Approaching the finishing line, MOUNT VICTORY was steadied when crowded for room between COMPACT YARN and PROSPERITY which shifted out slightly under pressure. As a result, MOUNT VICTORY was not ridden out to the line as it normally would be. Passing the 100 Metres, WATCH FIRST, which was hanging in and proving difficult to ride, was checked away from the heels of DALKAN (K C Leung) which, after being taken in by EAGLE SPIRIT (Apprentice C Y Ho), then continued to shift in slightly across the running of WATCH FIRST. Apprentice Ho was severely reprimanded for failing to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion. K C Leung was also reprimanded for failing to correct his mount after the pressure from EAGLE SPIRIT to his outside had been relieved. Having regard to the winning margin of a head, T Angland was cautioned regarding his making a premature celebratory gesture on SUPER STRIKE. MOUNT VICTORY, SUPER STRIKE and COMPACT YARN were sent for sampling.