16/01/2011  Shatin  Race 4

JUST GOOD and BLEDISLOE were crowded for room shortly after the start between BROTHERS IN ARMS and BAITIWU which shifted out after being bumped by NEW VISION. From a wide barrier, CHINA GOOD was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. When being ridden along to take up a forward position, BUMPER STRIKE hung in and proved difficult to ride in the early stages. Approaching the 1400 Metres, BROTHERS IN ARMS shifted out and bumped KINGSTON SPARTACUS which itself was shifting in. BROTHERS IN ARMS then shifted in abruptly. After racing wide and without cover in the early stages, COSMO SUCCESSOR was steadied approaching the 1200 Metres in an attempt to shift behind runners to obtain cover. However, COSMO SUCCESSOR was not able to obtain cover and consequently raced wide for the remainder of the event. Approaching the 1200 Metres, BUMPER STRIKE shifted in and bumped KINGSTON SPARTACUS. W M Lai (KINGSTON SPARTACUS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that rounding the Home Turn he permitted his mount to shift out, resulting in KINGSTON SPARTACUS bumping with COSMO SUCCESSOR, causing COSMO SUCCESSOR to be taken out abruptly and causing SOLDIER, which was following that horse, to be checked out away from the heels of COSMO SUCCESSOR and in turn SUPER GENTLEMAN, which was following SOLDIER, to also be checked away from the heels of that horse and forced wider. REDOUTE STAR and CHINA GOOD, which were following, were hampered in consequence. W M Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 6 February 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 26 January 2011. In addition, W M Lai was fined $15,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. When KINGSTON SPARTACUS shifted back in slightly on straightening, BROTHERS IN ARMS was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SPEED RACER, J Lloyd stated that from barrier 6 it had been intended to ride SPEED RACER in a more forward position if possible. He said despite riding SPEED RACER along for some distance in the early and middle stages, the horse was reluctant to maintain its position. He said passing the 1400 Metres he attempted to hold his position inside DIVINE KID, however, despite riding SPEED RACER vigorously, he was not able to maintain his position to the inside of that horse. He said after this SPEED RACER travelled only fairly. He added although SPEED RACER was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and again passing the 300 Metres, in his opinion, this did not have any bearing on the horse’s performance which was disappointing. He said after obtaining clear running after the 300 Metres, SPEED RACER finished off the race only fairly. A veterinary inspection of SPEED RACER after the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of BUMPER STRIKE, Apprentice M L Yeung stated that he was obliged to ride his mount along for some distance in the early stages to take up a forward position as instructed. He said he was obliged to make considerable use of BUMPER STRIKE to clear KINGSTON SPARTACUS to his inside in order to shift in and race outside the leader, BAITIWU. He said the tempo of the first 800 Metres of the race, in his opinion, was quite strong. He said after shifting in to race outside of BAITIWU, BUMPER STRIKE raced keenly and then when placed under pressure in the Straight did not respond to his riding. He added that, in his opinion, the amount of use he had to make of BUMPER STRIKE in the early stages in what turned out to be a quickly run section of the race was the principal reason for the horse failing to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of BUMPER STRIKE after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of BAITIWU after the race, which finished tailed out, including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. The performance of BAITIWU was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BAITIWU will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BUMPER STRIKE, NEW VISION and SUPER GENTLEMAN were sent for sampling.