27/12/2011  Shatin  Race 9

FIRST IN COMMAND was withdrawn on 24.12.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (substantial amount of mucus in trachea on scoping after track work) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ETERNAL BEAUTY (K C Leung). Before being allowed to race again, FIRST IN COMMAND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DIAMOND ELEGANCE and CHATER MIKADO were slow to begin. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, CHEETAH BOY failed to muster speed and settled back in the field. After the 400 Metres, HAPPY REUNION hung in badly and proved difficult to ride. Approaching the 200 Metres, TOUCH GO was steadied and then held up for a short distance behind KING MOSSMAN which shifted out. Near the 100 Metres, KING MOSSMAN then shifted in abruptly before being corrected by its rider. In this incident, TOUCH GO was inconvenienced. At the 150 Metres, DIAMOND ELEGANCE, which was laying out, was steadied away from the heels of TOPPING LIGHT which shifted out abruptly to obtain clear running. D Whyte, the rider of 5th placegetter, KING MOSSMAN, was found guilty of a charge of having failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards [Rule 100(2)]. In the circumstances of this matter and having in mind the margin between the 4th placing and the 5th placing, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for D Whyte’s licence to ride in races be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday, 12 January 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting next Sunday, 1 January 2012. A veterinary inspection of EL ZONDA after the race did not show any significant findings. ORIENTAL PROSPER, STRAIGHT GOLD and CHATER MIKADO were sent for sampling. <28/11/2011 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that TOPPING LIGHT had sustained a left front tendon injury on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, TOPPING LIGHT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.