08/06/2013  Shatin  Race 10

CAPE CANAVERAL was withdrawn on 7.6.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FINAL ANSWER (W C Marwing). Before being allowed to race again, CAPE CANAVERAL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Whilst in the Parade Ring, RUMBA KING had its left hind plate refitted. RUMBA KING was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. On arrival at the barriers, the tongue tie fitted to ABLE SPEED was replaced. TAI SING YEH began awkwardly, shifted out and hampered CHEETAH BOY. After this, TAI SING YEH was taken across behind runners. When being ridden along in the early stages, GREEN ZONE shifted out, resulting in FINAL ANSWER being crowded for room inside FAT CHOY HONG KONG. GREEN ZONE was then ridden along to obtain a forward position, however, after failing to muster speed was taken across behind runners. Shortly after the start, KEEN WONGCHOY was crowded for room between TOUCH GO and NEW DEERFIELD, both of which shifted ground. At the 900 Metres, VICTORIUS was steadied away from the heels of TOUCH GO which shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the heels of BULLISH FRIEND which got its head on the side and shifted in slightly. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, NEW DEERFIELD brushed the running rail when racing in restricted room inside RUMBA KING. Near the 850 Metres, KEEN WONGCHOY got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of VICTORIUS. After the 800 Metres, FAT CHOY HONG KONG was left racing wide and without cover. Rounding the Home Turn, KEEN WONGCHOY and ABLE SPEED raced tight as KEEN WONGCHOY shifted out to obtain clear running. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, BULLISH FRIEND got its head on the side and lay out. TAI SING YEH and RUMBA KING both had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 250 Metres, VICTORIUS was steadied away from the heels of FAT CHOY HONG KONG when momentarily crowded for room between that horse and NEW DEERFIELD which shifted out. T H So (RUMBA KING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 100 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting out when not clear of TOUCH GO, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. T H So was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Tuesday, 2 July 2013 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 19 June 2013. In addition, T H So was fined $20,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. Throughout the race, CHEETAH BOY travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of CHEETAH BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of CHEETAH BOY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, CHEETAH BOY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of VICTORIUS, M L Yeung stated that his mount travelled very well throughout the race and he expected it to quicken well after shifting to the outside of TOUCH GO rounding the Home Turn. He said however that VICTORIUS did not respond as he anticipated and although the horse was momentarily crowded for room near the 250 Metres, it was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding. He added over the final 300 Metres VICTORIUS raced “flat” and, in his opinion, raced liked a tired horse. A veterinary inspection of VICTORIUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FIONN’S TREASURE and KEEN WONGCHOY were sent for sampling.