08/10/2014  Shatin  Race 5

HOXO and SMART PLANET began awkwardly. From a wide barrier, HOLY MAC was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, SPICY SIAM was slow to begin and then was shifted across behind runners. H W Lai (INDIGO WAY) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1500 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SMART PLANET, causing that horse to be taken in onto HOXO, resulting in HOXO being badly crowded for room and losing ground. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 10 November 2014 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 26 October 2014. For some distance after this, HOXO was then ridden along by its rider, K Teetan, to re-establish its position inside SMART PLANET. This resulted in HOXO improving into very tight running inside SMART PLANET which continued to race tight inside INDIGO WAY which had improved its position to be racing tight inside the heels of KING OF PATCH. Near the 1300 Metres, SMART PLANET was checked and lost ground when crowded for room between INDIGO WAY and HOXO which got its head on the side and shifted out when racing tight inside SMART PLANET. K Teetan was advised that whilst there was some influence to this incident from horses to the outside of SMART PLANET and whilst the initial pressure to HOXO had not been as a result of his own doing, nonetheless he should be circumspect when continuing to endeavour to establish running where there is doubtful or insufficient room. After the 1300 Metres, VERY WELL was left racing wide and without cover. For some distance after the 1200 Metres, HOXO got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed close to the heels of EXPEDITE. Near the 900 Metres, CULTURAL CITY was left racing wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of HOXO immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, HOXO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VERDANE, CULTURAL CITY and EXPEDITE were sent for sampling.