25/11/2009  Happy Valley  Race 7

OCEAN PRINCE shifted in at the start and bumped COUNTRY MAGIC. Apprentice T H So (LOCAL POWER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of GOLDEN TREASURE, causing that horse to be taken in onto SUPER SATIN which was checked and taken across the rightful running of CLEMENT ELITE which was severely checked. Apprentice So was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 17 December 2009 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 6 December 2009. When CLEMENT ELITE was severely checked, it shifted out and made heavy contact with FULL PACK which became badly unbalanced. OCEAN PRINCE and MIGHTY SUN were also hampered in consequence. Near the 1200 Metres, MIGHTY SUN was checked away from the heels of OCEAN PRINCE. COUNTRY MAGIC raced wide and without cover until near the 800 Metres when it was shifted in to a position outside the lead. Rounding the Home Turn, FULL PACK was checked away from the heels of SUPER SATIN. Near the 200 Metres, Apprentice T H So dropped his right rein. Apprentice So was unable to regather this rein until passing the 100 Metres. Passing the 200 Metres, SUPER SATIN briefly raced tight between GILDED FLIGHT and ARION OF CHIU TON (B Prebble) which, after initially being directed out by its rider, then straightened. B Prebble was cautioned regarding shifting ground on horses in similar circumstances. For some distance passing the 200 Metres, MIGHTY SUN was steadied away from the heels of OCEAN PRINCE which shifted out. Near the 100 Metres, WALKONTHEWILDSIDE was steadied away from the heels of LOCAL POWER to continue improving. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on MIGHTY SUN in the early stages, Z Purton stated that he had been instructed to go forward on the horse from its wide barrier. Z Purton said he rode MIGHTY SUN accordingly in the early stages to obtain a forward position, however, soon after the start he became aware that a considerable number of horses being ridden to his inside to obtain forward positions, most notably COUNTRY MAGIC and GILDED FLIGHT. He said apart from these two horses, he also noted horses drawn to their inside being ridden aggressively to obtain a forward position. He said for this reason he elected to steady his mount approaching the winning post on the first occasion in an endeavour to obtain cover behind COUNTRY MAGIC rather than continuing to press forward which he believed would result in MIGHTY SUN being caught very wide. He said passing the 1300 Metre he was left in a position racing four wide outside of OCEAN PRINCE, therefore he elected to further steady his mount and shift in behind that horse to obtain cover. He said, because of these factors, MIGHTY SUN raced further back than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of MIGHTY SUN after the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER SATIN and GILDED FLIGHT were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that SUPER SATIN had sustained multiple abrasions to both hind legs.