28/02/2010  Shatin  Race 7

THUMBS UP was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of VIVA PATACA which shifted out. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, THUMBS UP was steadied away from the heels of SPECIAL DAYS which shifted in after being bumped by MR MEDICI which itself was bumped by ABLE ONE which got its head up and proved difficult to settle in the early stages. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by C Soumillon, the rider of the second placegetter, THUMBS UP, against the winner COLLECTION alleging interference to his mount near the 150 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that COLLECTION shifted in near the 150 Metres, resulting in THUMBS UP having to be checked. However, having in mind that COLLECTION had come from behind THUMBS UP in the early stages of the Straight and also having regard to the finishing margin between the two horses at the end of the race of 1¾ lengths, the Stewards were of the opinion that the protest/objection should be overruled and accordingly the Judge’s placings as semaphored were confirmed. At a subsequent inquiry, D Beadman pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of THUMBS UP, causing that horse to be checked. D Beadman was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 22 March 2010 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 14 March 2010. In addition, D Beadman was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension which would incorporate one further raceday. In this incident, VIVA PATACA, which was following THUMBS UP, was steadied in consequence. Then over the concluding stages, VIVA PATACA was held up for clear running behind THUMBS UP and consequently was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. For the majority of the race, ABLE ONE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, J Lloyd (ABLE ONE) said that he had been instructed to restrain the horse at the start and settle in last position. He said he was advised it would be preferable if he could follow GOOD BA BA in the run. J Lloyd stated that ABLE ONE took some time to settle in the early stages, however, passing the winning post on the first occasion proved more tractable. He said when placed under pressure in the Straight ABLE ONE did not finish off the race albeit he felt that the horse did not see out the 2000 Metres of today’s race. Trainer J Moore stated that prior to ABLE ONE being successful in the 2007 Champions Mile, the horse had not been a noted front runner. He said due to a lack of pace in that race, ABLE ONE was able to lead and won. He said because of this ABLE ONE had been ridden along in a forward position since that time, however, he has been of the view that ABLE ONE is capable of being ridden from behind. He said with today’s race being over 2000 Metres he did not believe ABLE ONE would be able to take up a forward position and finish off the race as he was of the view that the horse would race too freely. He said for this reason he instructed J Lloyd to take the horse back in the race with a view to hopefully being able to follow GOOD BA BA through the run. He said he did this in consultation with the owners of ABLE ONE. Mr Moore was advised that the Stewards would review the recent history of ABLE ONE before concluding the matter. D Whyte (SPECIAL DAYS) advised that, in his opinion, the horse raced “flat” today. A veterinary inspection of SPECIAL DAYS after the race did not show any significant findings. COLLECTION and THUMBS UP were sent for sampling.