08/07/2012  Shatin  Race 7

At declaration time, M Zahra was declared as the rider of both TOM’S EIGHTH and BURGUNDY MAC. It was established that M Zahra had been inadvertently declared as the rider of TOM’S EIGHTH when in fact J McDonald had been engaged to ride that horse. For this declaration error, Trainer A T Millard was fined $2,000. After being loaded, TOM’S EIGHTH became fractious and as the start was effected was slow to begin. FORTUNE BRAVO was slow to begin and then made heavy contact with BURGUNDY MAC shortly after the start, resulting in FORTUNE BRAVO becoming badly unbalanced and losing ground. After the 1000 Metres, BREEZE OF LUCK was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 800 Metres, FORTUNE BRAVO lost ground when being checked away from the heels of TOM’S EIGHTH. CHEERFUL DOUBLE, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Approaching the 700 Metres, FERRABOSCO got its head up and proved difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of HURRY HURRY UP. Approaching the 100 Metres, BURGUNDY MAC was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BREEZE OF LUCK. T H So (GLORY OF INDIA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 100 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in when insufficiently clear of SUPER BOBO, resulting in that horse losing its rightful running and being checked. T H So was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 16 July 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (1 Hong Kong raceday). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 11 July 2012. In addition, T H So was fined $30,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating two further racedays. W M Lai (KINGSTON SPARTACUS) was fined a sum of $2,000 for raising his whip arm above shoulder height. After the race, M Chadwick reported that he had been asked, from the wide barrier, to allow IRON EAGLE to begin and take up a forward position if possible as the horse is one-paced. He said it was explained to him that IRON EAGLE had been disappointing and therefore from the 1800 Metre start it was hoped that the horse would be able to take up a more prominent position given the anticipated slow tempo. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on IRON EAGLE at the request of Trainer J Moore. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, IRON EAGLE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DALKAN and FORTUNE BRAVO after the race did not show any significant findings. LET’S GOAL and HEALTHY MANNER were sent for sampling. <9/7/2012 Additional Veterinary Report> FORTUNE BRAVO, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. FORTUNE BRAVO was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer P F Yiu this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, FORTUNE BRAVO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.