06/11/2010  Shatin  Race 1

As the start was effected, METRO RIDER reared and lost ground. HEXAGON and OUR WISH were slow to begin. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, OUR WISH got its head up and proved difficult to settle. For some distance after the 1000 Metres, TREASURE RAIDERS proved difficult to settle and near the 900 Metres shifted out when being checked away from the heels of DAYLIGHT EXPRESS, resulting in HEXAGON being taken wider. Passing the 900 Metres, SEIZE THE DAY was checked when crowded for room between ACCELERATOR and OUR WISH which shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SIMPLY JOY. Near the 850 Metres, METRO RIDER got its head on the side and was checked away from the heels of KIMBERLEY and in doing so shifted out and bumped INCREDIBLE EAGLE. After this, METRO RIDER continued to prove difficult to settle. Throughout the race, HEXAGON travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. The performances of HEXAGON and OUR WISH, which both finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HEXAGON and OUR WISH will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred near the 400 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether MUSTANG should be declared the winner of the race. Subsequently T Angland, the rider of KIMBERLEY, second placegetter, also lodged a protest/objection against MUSTANG being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount near the 400 Metres. After taking evidence from all the parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that prior to the 400 Metres KIMBERLEY was shifted out into running between MUSTANG and TREASURE RAIDERS. They also found that near the 400 Metres MUSTANG was shifted out away from the heels of FANTASTIC TIME to obtain clear running which resulted in KIMBERLEY losing its rightful running and being checked. As the Stewards were of the opinion that had the interference which clearly took place not occurred that KIMBERLEY would have finished in front of MUSTANG, they sustained the protest/objection and amended the placings to read No. 8 KIMBERLEY, 1st, No. 6 MUSTANG, 2nd, No. 2 DEVON JOY, 3rd, and No. 12 DAYLIGHT EXPRESS, 4th. At a subsequent inquiry, B Prebble pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that in the early part of the Straight he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of KIMBERLEY, causing that horse to be checked and lose its rightful running. B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 29 November 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, 21 November 2010. Trainer Y S Tsui explained that from barrier 11, it had been decided to ride SEIZE THE DAY further back in the field than is usual as it was anticipated that today’s race would be run at a good tempo. A veterinary inspection of HEXAGON after the race did not show any significant findings. KIMBERLEY and MUSTANG were sent for sampling.