17/03/2013  Shatin  Race 8

Prior to the racemeeting commencing, the Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation reported that MIZANI was found to be mildly lame in the right front foot. A further inspection of MIZANI later in the day found that horse to be lame in the right front foot and as such was not suitable to race. Accordingly, MIZANI was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. Before being allowed to race again, MIZANI will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. POETIC JUSTICE was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, AUTUMN GOLD was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 1600 Metres, WAH MAY STAR and GOLD-FUN raced tight. Approaching the 1300 Metres, GOLD-FUN was taken wider by ALBICELESTE which shifted out away from the heels of the leader, JUN GONG. When GOLD-FUN was steadied by its rider in an attempt to obtain cover behind ALBICELESTE, GOLD-FUN got its head up and momentarily raced ungenerously. AKEED MOFEED, which was following, was checked away from the heels of GOLD-FUN and in doing so shifted out, resulting in IT HAS TO BE YOU blundering when having to be shifted out away from the heels of AKEED MOFEED and being taken wider. After this incident, IT HAS TO BE YOU, after being left racing wide and without cover, was allowed to stride into a more forward position, however, continued to travel wide and without cover for the remainder of the race. For some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, WAH MAY STAR and GOLD-FUN raced tight. Rounding the Home Turn, PRESIDENT LINCOLN was momentarily crowded for room between GOLD-FUN and RAINBOW CHIC which shifted to the outside of WAH MAY STAR. RAINBOW CHIC was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and then experienced difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 200 Metres when racing inside AKEED MOFEED. Near the 350 Metres, GOLD-FUN shifted in and bumped IT HAS TO BE YOU. IT HAS TO BE YOU then got its head on the side and shifted in, resulting in ALBICELESTE, which was commencing to give ground, being crowded for room outside ENDOWING which also became unbalanced after getting bumped on the hindquarters. O Doleuze (GOLD-FUN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of IT HAS TO BE YOU, resulting in that horse having to be checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. O Doleuze was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 15 April 2013 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, 7 April 2013. In addition, O Doleuze was fined $80,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating two further racedays. In assessing the appropriate penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that there was a slight contribution to this incident from ENDOWING which shifted out slightly. In this incident, ENDOWING became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by IT HAS TO BE YOU. In the Straight, BEST SHOW got its head on the side and hung in under pressure and then over the concluding stages was awkwardly placed between PRESIDENT LINCOLN and ASHKIYR. A veterinary inspection of IT HAS TO BE YOU and ASHKIYR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. AKEED MOFEED and ENDOWING were sent for sampling.