21/03/2012  Shatin  Race 4

At declaration time, O Doleuze was declared as the rider of both JOLLY WONGCHOY and GIANTS SERAPIS. It was established that O Doleuze had a firm commitment to ride JOLLY WONGCHOY. As such, the Stewards permitted J Lloyd to be substituted as the rider of GIANTS SERAPIS. For this declaration error, O Doleuze was fined $2,000. SOLDIER was slow to begin. ABLE DRAGON was crowded for room at the start between EASY TRACK and AMAZING SUPERNOVA, both of which shifted ground. From a wide barrier, JOLLY WONGCHOY was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. O Doleuze (JOLLY WONGCHOY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in, causing MIRAGE R and SOLDIER to be unnecessarily crowded for room, resulting in SOLDIER being checked. O Doleuze was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 22 April 2012 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 Sunday, 15 April 2012. In addition, O Doleuze was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. For some distance approaching the 800 Metres, ABLE DRAGON raced tight inside GIANTS SERAPIS. Near the 700 Metres, ABLE DRAGON was steadied away from the heels of PRINCE OF SUNSHINE which shifted in after being unable to improve into tight running between RAINBOW SEEKER and PEGASUS SUPREME. GIANTS SERAPIS, which was racing behind PRINCE OF SUNSHINE, was hampered in consequence. Near the 650 Metres, BEST NOODLE was taken wider by SPLENDID CHAMPION which shifted out away from the heels of AMAZING SUPERNOVA. Passing the 500 Metres, PRINCE OF SUNSHINE improved into tight running between RAINBOW SEEKER and PEGASUS SUPREME. A short distance later, PEGASUS SUPREME got its head on the side and lay in, resulting in PRINCE OF SUNSHINE being crowded for room between that horse and RAINBOW SEEKER which was being eased to the outside of EASY TRACK. For some distance after this, PRINCE OF SUNSHINE raced tight between RAINBOW SEEKER and PEGASUS SUPREME. Passing the 400 Metres, PEGASUS SUPREME, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied when crowded for room between BEST NOODLE and PRINCE OF SUNSHINE which was taken out by RAINBOW SEEKER (T Angland). T Angland was advised that whilst there were some circumstances in the lead up to the incident, he must exercise care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 400 Metres, GIANTS SERAPIS was shifted in away from the heels of ABLE DRAGON which shifted out to improve. Also approaching the 400 Metres, AMAZING SUPERNOVA was momentarily crowded for room between ABLE DRAGON and SPLENDID CHAMPION. Shortly after entering the Straight, GIANTS SERAPIS was shifted out away from the heels of EASY TRACK which was giving ground abruptly. CLASSIC BOY, SUISSE D’OR and RAINBOW SEEKER were sent for sampling. <22/3/2012 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that SPLENDID CHAMPION was lame in the left front and left hind legs on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, SPLENDID CHAMPION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.