16/02/2010  Shatin  Race 11

As previously advertised, the Stewards approved G Cheyne to be substituted as the rider of MY MATE ADRIC when C Williams advised that he was unable to fulfil this race riding engagement due to travel commitments. Jockey Williams was fined a sum of $5,000 for being unable to fulfil his riding engagement on this horse. NATIONAL TREASURE was crowded for room at the start between MY MATE ADRIC and GREAT GUY, both of which shifted ground. C Soumillon (GREAT GUY) pleaded guilty to 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 AMAZING JOURNEY, resulting in that horse losing its rightful running and being checked. C Soumillon was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 25 February 2010 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Dubai racemeeting to be conducted on Friday, 19 February 2010. Approaching the 1100 Metres, OCEAN PRINCE shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAND DANCER. BLESSING had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Near the 350 Metres, MY MATE ADRIC shifted out from behind MY GOAL to obtain clear running and in doing so bumped the hindquarters of MASTER ELITE which became unbalanced. RIBOT LEGEND, which was racing to the outside of MASTER ELITE, was hampered as a consequence. In the Straight, GREAT GUY got its head on the side and hung in. Throughout the race, RIBOT LEGEND travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, A Gryder stated that he had been instructed, if BOUNCER began well, to have the horse in a position midfield or slightly worse, however, as BOUNCER had been missing the start of late, if it were to do so again, he should make every effort to have it take up as good a position as possible. He said BOUNCER was again slow to begin today and shortly after the start stumbled. He said because of this BOUNCER was at the rear of the field shortly after the start. He said he rode his mount along hands and heels in the early stages to have it make up lost ground, however, despite his riding, BOUNCER was reluctant to improve its position. He added he continued to push BOUNCER to have it make up lost ground down the Back Straight, but despite his urgings, BOUNCER was not able to make ground on the rest of the field. He said having in mind the distance between BOUNCER and the rest of the field, he continued to ride his mount along vigorously hands and heels down the side of the track and in the Straight. He said despite the manner in which he rode BOUNCER along, the horse did not make up any significant ground and due to the manner in which BOUNCER was racing, he did not feel it was necessary to use the whip on the horse as it was not in contention of running a placing. He stated BOUNCER made up some ground in the Straight, but still finished well away from the placings. The Stewards advised A Gryder whilst they accepted that he had ridden along throughout the race to have BOUNCER make up lost ground, it would be best if he had used the whip at some stage in the Straight to ensure that his ride was not open to query. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING JOURNEY and MY GOAL after the race did not show any significant findings. BLESSING and NATIONAL TREASURE were sent for sampling.