02/12/2012  Shatin  Race 11

The Stewards today interviewed Mr D J Hall, the trainer of ALPHA GRAND, as to the circumstances regarding that horse being entered for this race after being treated on the morning of Monday, 26 November 2012 which is within the restricted period. ALPHA GRAND was withdrawn on 30 November 2012 by order of the Stewards and replaced by Standby Declared Starter OTTIMO (Apprentice K C Ng). Mr Hall pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 50(2) in that he was negligent in the running of his stable. Having in mind that Mr Hall had previously been penalized on two occasions for a breach of this Rule, the Stewards believed in the circumstances it was appropriate that he be fined the sum of $25,000. HOLMES LEGEND was withdrawn on 1.12.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (sore left fore tendon). Before being allowed to race again, HOLMES LEGEND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Stewards today interviewed Mr A Schutz, the trainer of HOLMES LEGEND, regarding the circumstances of HOLMES LEGEND being withdrawn on the afternoon of Saturday, 1 December 2012. Evidence was taken from Mr Schutz, Dr P Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation, and Dr M J Hurley, the Clinical Veterinary Surgeon allocated to Mr Schutz’s stable. Mr Schutz was found guilty of a breach of Rule 50(5) in that contrary to Regulation 122(b) of the Trainers’ Handbook, at the time of pre-race veterinary inspection conducted on the morning of 1 December 2012, he failed to report a condition which reasonably had the potential to impact upon HOLMES LEGEND’s suitability to race in this race. In the circumstances, Mr Schutz was fined the sum of $10,000. DUAL HAPPY was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore fetlock). Before being allowed to race again, DUAL HAPPY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SEA DIAMOND began awkwardly, shifted in and made heavy contact with HOLY MAC. TREASURE GOLD was slow to begin. C K Tong (APOLLO CAVALIER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when sufficiently clear of OTTIMO, resulting in that horse being taken in onto HOLY MAC. As a result, HOLY MAC was taken across the rightful running of GREEN MANNER, causing that horse to be checked and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. C K Tong was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 13 December 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension is to take immediate effect. Making the turn approaching the 800 Metres, SEA DIAMOND became unbalanced, shifted out and in doing so made contact with PLENTIFUL. Passing the 400 Metres, OTTIMO was steadied when disappointed for running between FLYING CHAPARRAL and LOVELY BOY which shifted out when commencing to give ground. GREEN MANNER had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight. Passing the 350 Metres, TREASURE GOLD was steadied and shifted to the outside of SPEEDYGONZALEZ to obtain clear running. Passing the 300 Metres, OTTIMO was checked away from the heels of LOVELY BOY which was taken out by SEA DIAMOND which, when endeavouring to obtain clear running between that horse and HOLY MAC, was taken out by HOLY MAC which got its head on the side and shifted out away from APOLLO CAVALIER which itself shifted out under pressure. Having in mind the circumstances of this incident, no further action was taken. Approaching the 200 Metres, CHEERS JOY, which over-raced throughout the event, got its head on the side and hung in badly. After this, CHEERS JOY continued to hang in. After the 200 Metres, SEA DIAMOND got its head on the side and shifted out under pressure, resulting in PLENTIFUL, which was having difficulty obtaining clear running, being hampered. Throughout the race, FLYING CHAPARRAL travelled wide and without cover. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HOLY MAC had sustained a superficial abrasion to the left front tendon region. A veterinary inspection of CHEERS JOY after the race did not show any significant findings. SEA DIAMOND and GREEN MANNER were sent for sampling. <3/12/2012 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that TREASURE GOLD was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, TREASURE GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.