29/04/2012  Shatin  Race 10

Whilst in the saddling stalls, REAL GENEROUS had its left hind plate refitted. REAL GENEROUS was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. When parading behind the barriers, CRAIG’S PRIDE made contact with a rail. CRAIG’S PRIDE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. At the start, LOVING STAR, CAI BAO IN and TOWERING STORM were all crowded for room between TAKEANOTHERCHANCE and REAL GENEROUS, both of which shifted ground. From a wide barrier, OLE OLE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, HEALTHY BLUEBERRY failed to muster speed and throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. In the Straight, HEALTHY BLUEBERRY gave ground and finished tailed out. The performance of HEALTHY BLUEBERRY was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HEALTHY BLUEBERRY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Rounding the Home Turn, REAL GENEROUS and CAI BAO IN made contact after CAI BAO IN was bumped by LOVING STAR which shifted out after being taken wider by TOM’S EIGHTH. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred near the 150 Metres which cast doubt on whether HO WONGCHOY (J Lloyd) should be declared the 4th placegetter of the race. Subsequently T Clark, the rider of the 5th placed, CRAIG’S PRIDE, lodged a protest/objection against HO WONGCHOY alleging interference to his mount near the 150 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that near the 150 Metres HO WONGCHOY shifted out significantly and made heavy contact with CRAIG’S PRIDE which as a result became badly unbalanced. Having in mind where the incident took place and the nose margin between the horses at the end of the race, the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that had the interference which did take place not occurred, CRAIG’S PRIDE would have finished in front of HO WONGCHOY. Therefore the Stewards sustained the protest/objection and amended the placings to read No. 8, CAI BAO IN, 1st; No. 4, LOVING STAR, 2nd; No. 11, REAL GENEROUS, 3rd; No. 13, CRAIG’S PRIDE, 4th, and No. 14, HO WONGCHOY, 5th. Subsequently J Lloyd was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that for some distance approaching the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out, resulting in HO WONGCHOY making contact with CRAIG’S PRIDE and causing that horse to become badly unbalanced. J Lloyd was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 17 May 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 on Sunday, 6 May 2012. When questioned, A Suborics stated that it was felt by connections that if FUN HEROES, from the outside barrier, were to be taken across behind runners, it would have too much to do to finish off the race from the rear of the field. He said for this reason it was decided to ride the horse positively in the early stages and hopefully obtain a position with cover behind the speed. He said it was anticipated that HEALTHY BLUEBERRY would make the running and this would provide FUN HEROES with the opportunity to shift across with that runner and hopefully obtain a position behind that horse. He said however that HEALTHY BLUEBERRY was slow to begin and then did not muster speed, obliging him to lead in the early stages on FUN HEROES. He said he attempted to steady the horse to allow another runner to improve around the outside of FUN HEROES and provide it with cover, however, due to the manner in which FUN HEROES was racing and when no other runner improved its position, FUN HEROES was then left racing in the lead which was not intended prior to the race. A veterinary inspection of ENABLING after the race did not show any significant findings. REAL GENEROUS, CAI BAO IN and LOVING STAR were sent for sampling.