29/11/2015  Shatin  Race 7

NUMERO UNO (Z Purton) was fractious in the barriers and as the start was effected began awkwardly and bumped the inside gate of its stall. A short distance later, NUMERO UNO was steadied when crowded for room between WINGOLD and KING OF MONGOLIA, both of which shifted ground. After the race, Z Purton reported that it had been intended for NUMERO UNO to be ridden in a forward position, however, due to the horse's barrier manners, NUMERO UNO was obliged to race from the rear of the field. GIANT TURTLE reared as the start was effected and lost ground. From the outside barriers, TOO FAST and JOYFUL MOMENTS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. NONE OTHER lost its right front plate after the 1200 Metres. Passing the 1100 Metres, HASTA LA VISTA was shifted out to avoid causing crowding to COURAGEOUS BROTHER which resulted in THE SHOW and PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT being taken wider. For a considerable distance after this, COURAGEOUS BROTHER, when being steadied, got its head up on a number of occasions when proving very difficult to settle. After the 900 Metres, NONE OTHER was left racing wide and without cover. NUMERO UNO had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. In the early part of the Straight, ACCLAIMED LIGHT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of KING OF MONGOLIA which shifted out to obtain clear running. Then near the 350 Metres, ACCLAIMED LIGHT raced tight between JOYFUL MOMENTS and KING OF MONGOLIA which continued to shift out. In this incident, JOYFUL MOMENTS became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by ACCLAIMED LIGHT. Z Purton pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 250 Metres he permitted NUMERO UNO to shift out when not clear of KING OF MONGOLIA, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 24 December 2015 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, 13 December 2015. Near the 150 Metres, WINGOLD was awkwardly placed behind COURAGEOUS BROTHER. Near the 50 Metres, ROBUST MOMENTUM was checked away from the heels of PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT. ROBUST MOMENTUM was then unable to obtain clear running over the concluding stages. Over the concluding stages, TOO FAST was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JOYFUL MOMENTS and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. TOO FAST lost its right front plate after the race. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of THE SHOW, B Prebble stated that he was able to obtain a good trailing position behind PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT near the 900 Metres. He said THE SHOW travelled strongly in the middle stages and when NONE OTHER commenced to improve around THE SHOW prior to the 600 Metres, he shifted THE SHOW away from the heels of PRESIDENTPARAMOUNT to ensure that he was able to obtain clear running. He added THE SHOW continued to travel strongly until about the 500 Metres at which time the horse commenced to come under pressure. He said the horse quickened for a short distance before then finishing off the race only one-paced. He said whilst he was not able to fully test THE SHOW out over the concluding stages when racing amongst horses, nonetheless it was well beaten at this time. He said after the race THE SHOW, when coming back to the unsaddling area, did not appear to him to be completely comfortable in its action although he was not able to detect any soreness issues. A veterinary inspection of THE SHOW immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, THE SHOW will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of KING OF MONGOLIA 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, KING OF MONGOLIA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HASTA LA VISTA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings other than the horse had sustained a small cut to the mouth. BRILLIANT DREAM and NUMERO UNO were sent for sampling.