19/12/2010  Shatin  Race 9

When being taken to the saddling stalls, MILITARY MOVE lost both its hind plates. These plates were refitted. MILITARY MOVE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Apprentice M L Yeung (DRAGON FIGHTER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of ST DIDAR, causing that horse to be severely checked away from the heels of DRAGON FIGHTER. Apprentice Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 6 January 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Thursday, 23 December 2010. Apprentice Yeung also pleaded guilty to a further charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that rounding the Home Turn he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of ST DIDAR, causing that horse to be bumped, become unbalanced and taken wider and when doing so being taken across the rightful running of SPARKLING POWER, causing that horse to be also checked and taken wider. Apprentice Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 10 January 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Thursday, 23 December 2010. The Stewards ruled that the terms of suspensions be served concurrently. Apprentice Yeung, in the presence of his allocated trainer, was advised that prior to resuming race riding, he would be required to attend a meeting involving himself, the Stipendiary Stewards, Mr Lee, the Race Riding Instructor and a senior jockey to review his riding this season. Rounding the Home Turn, LONDON CHINA TOWN was crowded for room between CORPORAL JONES and DRAGON FIGHTER, both of which shifted ground. For some distance passing the 400 Metres, DANZULU was awkwardly placed between CORPORAL JONES and EXPRESS WIN which was obtaining a tight run to the inside of DANZULU. Near the 250 Metres, DANZULU was checked when unable to continue racing between EXPRESS WIN and CORPORAL JONES (Z Purton) which shifted in slightly. Z Purton was advised that whilst there were some circumstances involved in this incident, he should, wherever possible, do his utmost to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Near the 350 Metres, DIEGO was briefly held up for clear running when being shifted to the outside of the heels of MILITARY MOVE. Apprentice K C Leung (PRESTO) dropped his whip near the 50 Metres. When questioned regarding his riding of MILITARY MOVE, J Lloyd stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse in about 6th or 7th position, but he was to ensure that MILITARY MOVE had cover and was not over-racing. He said it was explained to him that MILITARY MOVE, since arriving in Hong Kong, had proved difficult to settle and he was advised to make every endeavour to have his mount settle throughout the race so that it was able to finish off the race. He said shortly after the start when he attempted to steady MILITARY MOVE, the horse got its head up and immediately commenced to over-race. He said he then observed LONDON CHINA TOWN being ridden into a forward position to his outside, therefore he elected to allow that horse to cross so as to provide cover for MILITARY MOVE. He said when he did this MILITARY MOVE commenced to race fiercely and for some distance passing the 1200 Metres was obliged to be checked away from the heels of LONDON CHINA TOWN. He said he had intended to maintain the position behind LONDON CHINA TOWN as he felt that that horse was a good chance in the race, however, LONDON CHINA TOWN was able to shift in to a two wide position in advance of PRESTO passing the 1000 Metres. He said as he was specifically instructed to ensure that MILITARY MOVE had cover, he allowed EXCEPTIONAL ART to shift in in advance of MILITARY MOVE so that he would be able to maintain cover behind that horse. He said this resulted in MILITARY MOVE racing further back in the field than had been intended. He said rounding the Home Turn he intended to shift to the outside of runners to ensure that MILITARY MOVE had unimpeded running in the Straight, however, at that time SPARKLING POWER shifted out abruptly and was taken wider, therefore he elected to obtain a run to the inside of that horse rather than being taken unnecessarily wide. He said as he was attempting to obtain a run to the inside of SPARKLING POWER and to the outside of EXCEPTIONAL ART, he was disappointed for this running when EXCEPTIONAL ART shifted out, therefore he took a run to the inside of EXCEPTIONAL ART after being momentarily held up for clear running. He added after this MILITARY MOVE was afforded unimpeded running, the horse commenced to close off the race strongly, however, he felt that over the final 100 Metres its run ended as evidenced by the fact that DIEGO was able to come from behind MILITARY MOVE to finish in front of his horse. Mr J Moore, the trainer of MILITARY MOVE, confirmed that he had provided explicit instructions to J Lloyd to obtain cover and to ensure that the horse was settled as MILITARY MOVE had gone too keenly in its track work and in its barrier trial on 23 November 2010. He said for these reasons he added a norton bit to the gear of MILITARY MOVE to assist it in settling in today’s race. He said having had the opportunity to view MILITARY MOVE’s racing manners today, it is his intention to remove the norton bit from the horse’s gear and experiment with a crossed nose band and a ring bit in an endeavour to have the horse relax better in its track work with a view to using this gear on the horse at its next race start. A veterinary inspection of MILITARY MOVE and ST DIDAR after the race did not show any significant findings. LONDON CHINA TOWN, DRAGON FIGHTER and DIEGO were sent for sampling.