01/04/2012  Shatin  Race 8

As the start was effected, SACRED KINGDOM, which had been fractious in the barriers, bounded in the air, resulting in G Mossé, its rider, striking his head on the overhead partition. In this incident, SACRED KINGDOM lost ground. NOBLE CONQUEROR was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, LET ME FIGHT was steadied away from the heels of NEW VISION which shifted in. Near the 500 Metres, DYNAMIC BLITZ was steadied away from the heels of CALIFORNIA CHOICE which got its head on the side and shifted out. Near the 300 Metres, DYNAMIC BLITZ was steadied when crowded for room between SACRED KINGDOM and NEW VISION which was taken in by CAPTAIN SWEET. M Chadwick (CALIFORNIA CHOICE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the final 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of HORSE GALORE, causing that horse to be steadied and then across the running of LET ME FIGHT which was checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. M Chadwick was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 19 April 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension is with immediate effect. In addition, M Chadwick was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SACRED KINGDOM, G Mossé stated that after being loaded, his mount became very fractious and because of this missed the start. He said after this SACRED KINGDOM travelled well until about the 500 Metres after which he placed the horse under pressure. He said that SACRED KINGDOM initially responded to his riding, however, a short distance later came under pressure and weakened out of the race noticeably over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of SACRED KINGDOM after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LET ME FIGHT after the race revealed that the horse had bled from both nostrils and had lost its left front plate. CALIFORNIA CHOICE, LITTLE BRIDGE and CAPTAIN SWEET were sent for sampling.