15/07/2012  Shatin  Race 5

MONEY WIN WINS began awkwardly and shifted out, resulting in PERI PERI SAFFRON being badly hampered and losing ground. Soon after the start, LUCKY NISTELROOY was hampered when crowded for room between MATSUKAZE which shifted out slightly and STEP HIGH which was taken in by ONE OF A KIND. In this incident, LUCKY NISTELROOY bumped MATSUKAZE which became unbalanced. From wide barriers, GRAND CHAMPION and TRIUMPHANT WAY were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 900 Metres, TRIUMPHANT WAY got its head up and proved difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAND CHAMPION. Approaching the 700 Metres, GOLDEN BAUHINIA was checked away from the heels of PINNASINGA. LUCKY NISTELROOY, which was following, shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse, resulting in LUCKY CHEVALIER racing tight inside STEP HIGH for some distance. K C Leung (PERI PERI SAFFRON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that rounding the Home Turn he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of GRAND CHAMPION, causing that horse to be checked and blunder badly. ALL BOUNTIFUL, which was following, was severely checked away from the heels of GRAND CHAMPION and when being checked away from the heels of that horse became further unbalanced when obliged to avoid the heels of TRIUMPHANT WAY which at this time was shifting out. In considering all the circumstances, the Stewards decided to exercise the discretion provided to them by the Rules of Racing to defer Jockey Leung’s suspension from riding in races to commence on the first racemeeting of the 2012/2013 racing season and thereafter for a period incorporating the first two racemeetings of the season (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, K C Leung was fined $60,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating two further racedays. When considering penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the severity of the incident. Also rounding the Home Turn, MONEY WIN WINS momentarily raced tight inside LUCKY NISTELROOY which momentarily got its head on the side and shifted in slightly when racing tight inside LUCKY CHEVALIER. Throughout the race, STEP HIGH and DIAMOND RAINBOW travelled wide and without cover. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that PERI PERI SAFFRON had sustained a superficial abrasion to the right hind tendon region. Also after the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on PINNASINGA at the request of Trainer A S Cruz. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse's trachea. A veterinary inspection of MATSUKAZE, GRAND CHAMPION and ALL BOUNTIFUL after the race did not show any significant findings. PERI PERI SAFFRON and LUCKY CHEVALIER were sent for sampling. <16/7/2012 Additional Veterinary Report> GRAND CHAMPION, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. GRAND CHAMPION was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C S Shum this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the left front leg with a wound over the inside cannon. Before being allowed to race again, GRAND CHAMPION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ALL BOUNTIFUL, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. ALL BOUNTIFUL was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer J Size this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the left front leg with a swollen pastern. Before being allowed to race again, ALL BOUNTIFUL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.