05/02/2012  Shatin  Race 3

LITTLE RAINFOREST and DOUBLE DRAGON bumped at the start. N Callan (PERCY JACKSON) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LIBERTY VALANCE, causing that horse to be checked and lose its rightful running when crowded for room between PERCY JACKSON and PLENTIFUL. N Callan was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 27 February 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 on Sunday, 19 February 2012. Near the 700 Metres, GRAND DANCER commenced to over-race and was checked away from the heels of LONGWAH RISING. Rounding the Home Turn, PLENTIFUL and LIBERTY VALANCE bumped as PLENTIFUL attempted to shift out to obtain clear running after being held up behind MASTER GUNNER. After this, PLENTIFUL had difficulty obtaining clear running until passing the 400 Metres. After the 200 Metres, PLENTIFUL was crowded for room when disappointed for running between MASTER GUNNER and PERCY JACKSON which itself was taken in slightly by LIBERTY VALANCE which got its head on the side and shifted in under pressure. Near the 150 Metres, PLENTIFUL was struck across the nose by the whip of W M Lai (LIBERTY VALANCE). After this, PLENTIFUL had difficulty obtaining clear running until the concluding stages. Near the 100 Metres, FOREVER ELATION was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between CLASSIC JEWELLERY (D Whyte) and MASTER GUNNER (Apprentice C Y Ho), both of which shifted ground. Both D Whyte and Apprentice Ho were advised to exercise care in similar circumstances. D Whyte (CLASSIC JEWELLERY) explained that after beginning only fairly he rode his mount along to take up a forward position. He said near the 1200 Metres he shifted in to race to the outside of DOUBLE DRAGON and expected that horse to cross towards the fence which would provide him with the opportunity to follow that horse across closer to the rail. He said however that DOUBLE DRAGON remained racing wide until that horse was able to clear runners to its inside and because of this he steadied his mount with a view to seeing if he could obtain cover behind LITTLE RAINFOREST. He said that DOUBLE DRAGON did not shift across LITTLE RAINFOREST and LONGWAH RISING until near the 850 Metres at which time it was then not available for him to improve his position to cross to the outside of that horse as he would have had to make too much use of CLASSIC JEWELLERY which was resuming today after having its only start in November. He said because of these circumstances CLASSIC JEWELLERY was left racing wide and without cover. He added that CLASSIC JEWELLERY responded well to his riding in the early part of the Straight and showed a good turn of foot, however, due to the circumstances of today’s race and the fact that the horse had some time off from racing, CLASSIC JEWELLERY’s condition gave out over the final 150 Metres. A veterinary inspection of CLASSIC JEWELLERY after the race did not show any significant findings. CLASSIC JEWELLERY, MASTER GUNNER and LIBERTY VALANCE were sent for sampling.