12/12/2010  Shatin  Race 6

PERFECT SPRINT and NICE FOLKS were slow to begin. From the outside barrier, SHANGHAI PIONEER was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After the 1200 Metres, NICE FOLKS was left racing wide and without cover and after the 900 Metres was allowed to stride forward, however, NICE FOLKS continued to race wide and without cover. On two occasions approaching the 600 Metres, PLENTIFUL raced in restricted room inside MASTER KEY. Rounding the Home Turn, FINN MACCOOL was checked away from the heels of GREAT GUY. Also rounding the Home Turn, NICE FOLKS got its head on the side and hung out. At the entrance to the Straight, SHANGHAI PIONEER was shifted to the inside of EAGLE SPIRIT to obtain clear running. For some distance approaching the 200 Metres, GREAT GUY raced in restricted room between PERFECT SPRINT and FINN MACCOOL. M W Leung (CHINA WIN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of EAGLE SPIRIT, causing that horse to be steadied, and then to shift out further across the rightful running of PERFECT SPRINT which was checked. M W Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Tuesday, 28 December 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, 19 December 2010. Throughout the race, MASTER KEY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, G Mossé stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position with cover on NICE FOLKS. He said NICE FOLKS was slow to begin and then shifted out and made contact with LUCKY BRAVO. He said when NICE FOLKS was slow to begin, he considered shifting the horse in behind GREAT GUY and CHINA WIN which had drawn to his inside, however, he felt that had he had done this, NICE FOLKS would have been obliged to race further back than had been intended. He said for this reason he allowed the horse to continue to race outside of GREAT GUY with a view to being able to obtain cover from MY MATE ADRIC which was shifting in from a wider barrier. He said near the 1100 Metres GREAT GUY was steadied to allow MY MATE ADRIC to cross which resulted in NICE FOLKS being left racing three wide and without cover. He said that as this happened, he noticed that there was no horse racing to the immediate inside of GREAT GUY and he felt that F Coetzee would shift that horse across to the fence which would result in NICE FOLKS being able to shift in and obtain cover in a two wide line behind MY MATE ADRIC. He said however that GREAT GUY continued to race one off the fence and because of this NICE FOLKS continued to race three wide and without cover. He said near the 1000 Metres NICE FOLKS, which was wearing blinkers for the first time in Hong Kong, proved very difficult to settle and over-raced and because of this he allowed the horse to stride forward rather than to continue to fight the horse. He said however that when he allowed NICE FOLKS to improve its position, MY MATE ADRIC maintained its position to his inside which resulted in NICE FOLKS continuing to race wide and without cover until after entering the Straight at which time it commenced to give ground. G Mossé was advised that his explanation had been noted, however, he must make every endeavour in the future to avoid covering unnecessary ground. A veterinary inspection of NICE FOLKS after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on PERFECT SPRINT at the request of Trainer C Fownes. The Veterinary Officer reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT SPRINT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY BRAVO and PLENTIFUL were sent for sampling.