17/06/2012  Shatin  Race 10

DEEP THINKER and CORPORAL JONES were both slow to begin. O Doleuze (GOLDEN SCALPEL) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of GENE POWER, causing that horse to be taken in onto YOU KNOW I WIN, resulting in both GENE POWER and YOU KNOW I WIN being checked and losing the running to which they were rightfully entitled. O Doleuze was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 16 July 2012 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, 8 July 2012. In addition, O Doleuze was fined $80,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating two further racedays. Approaching the 1000 Metres, CORPORAL JONES commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of DEEP THINKER. Then after the 900 Metres, CORPORAL JONES became unbalanced when again awkwardly placed close to the heels of DEEP THINKER. Passing the 900 Metres, YOU KNOW I WIN shifted out and bumped GENE POWER. Rounding the Home Turn, SAMMY’S FALCON and SLICK BULLET raced tight as SAMMY’S FALCON shifted out to obtain clear running. Near the 300 Metres, ELECTRONIC FIGHTER was steadied away from the heels of DEEP THINKER which shifted in. Close to the finishing line, DEEP THINKER shifted in and bumped SUPER CAGA. Throughout the race, HOLLYWOOD KISS travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, C W Wong stated that he had been instructed to ride OTTIMO positively in the early stages. He said in accordance with these instructions, he rode OTTIMO along including slapping the horse down the shoulder with the whip, however, OTTIMO did not show any early speed. He said for this reason he shifted OTTIMO across behind GENE POWER shortly after the start and despite being ridden along vigorously OTTIMO drifted well back in the field. He said rounding the turn near the 800 Metres OTTIMO, when continuing to be ridden along, commenced to travel more genuinely and, when shifted out in the Straight, closed off the race well. When questioned regarding the performance of SLICK BULLET, B Prebble stated that after being loaded in the barriers, the horse became fractious, reared and momentarily sat down. He said after being found to be suitable to race by the Veterinary Officer, SLICK BULLET travelled satisfactorily in the early stages albeit that the horse was racing in a three wide position. He said making the turn after the 900 Metres SLICK BULLET got its head on the side and lay out. He said SLICK BULLET continued to lay out rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. He added that despite being placed under pressure in the early part of the Straight, SLICK BULLET gave ground and tailed out. He said that after the race he was not able to detect any lameness or soreness with SLICK BULLET, but the horse may have been affected by the incident in the barriers. A veterinary inspection of SLICK BULLET after the race revealed the horse to be sound, however, there was blood noted at the right nostril. An endoscopic examination of SLICK BULLET found the trachea to be clean and accordingly the horse was deemed not to have bled. The performance of SLICK BULLET, a favourite for today’s race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SLICK BULLET will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SLICK BULLET, SUPER CAGA and DEEP THINKER were sent for sampling.