29/01/2012  Shatin  Race 4

SUNNY SKY was withdrawn on 28.1.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter EAGLE SPIRIT (K C Leung). Before being allowed to race again, SUNNY SKY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MR MARFACH was slow to begin. DALKAN was checked shortly after the start when crowded for room between EAGLE SPIRIT and REDOUTE STAR which began very awkwardly and shifted in abruptly, resulting in its rider, M Chadwick, becoming unbalanced in the saddle. In this incident, DALKAN made contact with the hindquarters of EAGLE SPIRIT which shifted in, resulting in CLASSIC BOY being crowded for room between that horse and MR MARFACH. From the outside barrier, SABINA was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 1500 Metres, FULL SPIRIT was momentarily crowded for room between MAN OF THE MATCH and KINGSTON SPARTACUS (Z Purton) which shifted in slightly. KINGSTON SPARTACUS was then shifted out to relieve the tightening to FULL SPIRIT. When FULL SPIRIT was steadied, SUPER STRIKE, which was following, was steadied away from the heels of that horse. CLASSIC BOY, which was following SUPER STRIKE, was severely checked away from the heels of that horse and shifted out, resulting in CLASSIC BOY making heavy contact with the hindquarters of DALKAN, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced. Z Purton was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves sufficient racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. Rounding the Home Turn, HAPPY EAGLE and DALKAN were taken wider by MR MARFACH which shifted to the outside of REDOUTE STAR after being disappointed for running between that horse and SUPER STRIKE. Near the 150 Metres, DALKAN was momentarily crowded for room between MR MARFACH which shifted out and HAPPY EAGLE which got its head on the side and lay in. In the Straight, SABINA hung in and proved difficult to ride and over the concluding stages hung in towards MAN OF THE MATCH. Because of this, SABINA was not able to be ridden out right to the end of the race. When questioned, M Chadwick (REDOUTE STAR) stated that passing the 1700 Metres he attempted to cross CASA JUNIOR and shift in to a position close to the fence. He said however at this time CASA JUNIOR was ridden along to cross FULL SPIRIT to its inside and this resulted in REDOUTE STAR racing three wide and without cover. He said after entering the Back Straight he considered riding REDOUTE STAR along in an attempt to clear CASA JUNIOR to race outside PROSPERITY which was being shifted in to race on the fence. He said however that he had made some use of REDOUTE STAR in the early stages and he did not wish to continue to make use of that horse as he felt that REDOUTE STAR would then not be able to finish off its race. He said he also formed the view that CASA JUNIOR would continue to be ridden to maintain its position to the inside of REDOUTE STAR and for this reason he elected to attempt to obtain cover behind that horse rather than pressing forward. He added near the 900 Metres he attempted to obtain a position behind CASA JUNIOR, however, at this time KINGSTON SPARTACUS was ridden to maintain its position to his inside and for this reason he was not able to shift any closer to the fence than three wide. M Guyon (DALKAN) pleaded guilty to a charge of improper riding under Rule 100(1), the improper riding being that near the 150 Metres when racing tight between MR MARFACH and HAPPY EAGLE, he did extend his left arm away from his body and in doing so struck M L Yeung, the rider of HAPPY EAGLE, with the whip on two occasions. For this breach of the Rule, M Guyon was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 15 March 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (9 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension shall commence on Sunday, 12 February 2012 on which day he was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred at the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 21 January 2012. A veterinary inspection of MR MARFACH and KINGSTON SPARTACUS after the race did not show any significant findings. MR MARFACH, SUPER STRIKE and EAGLE SPIRIT were sent for sampling.