19/10/2011  Shatin  Race 7

FIVE CLUBS shifted out at the start and bumped SOLAR UP. RED LUCKY STAR began awkwardly. Throughout the race, CROWN WITNESS travelled wide and without cover. Apprentice K C Ng (CITY POWER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that inside the final 200 Metres he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting out, resulting in SMART CHOICE, SOLAR UP and MAELSTROM all being badly crowded for room. Apprentice Ng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 10 November 2011 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, 30 October 2011. Close to the finishing line, D Beadman, the rider of 3rd placed, SKY MASCOT, looked to his inside after receiving calling from the rider of MAELSTROM who was involved in this incident. When questioned, D Beadman stated that in pre-race discussions with Mr J Moore, the trainer of SKY MASCOT, it had been noted that, apart from the first two races, the winners of subsequent races had come from positions wide on the track. He said in particular they noted that EURO SWIFTLY had been successful in its race coming from towards the rear of the field and wide off what was an average tempo. He said because of this and because of the manner in which SUNNY FAY, which he had ridden in an earlier race, had failed to finish off the race when placed towards the rail, it had been decided to position SKY MASCOT away from the inside to allow the horse the best opportunity to finish off the race. He added because of this, although he had the opportunity to shift in to a two wide position outside WHAT A HEART, he purposely remained racing in a position about three wide. A veterinary inspection of SKY MASCOT after the race revealed that the horse was lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, SKY MASCOT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE GENERAL after the race revealed that the horse had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of THE PRINCE after the race did not show any significant findings. THE PRINCE, CITY POWER and CROWN WITNESS were sent for sampling.