01/07/2013  Shatin  Race 9

As Jockey T Angland was unable to fulfil the engagement on OXFORD CHARLEY due to being overweight, he was fined a sum of $5,000. As such, permission was given for Z Purton to be substituted as the rider of that horse. YOU KNOW I WIN was crowded for room shortly after the start when bumped by GOLDEN SCALPEL which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. From a wide barrier, GREEN MANNER was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, EAGLE SPIRIT failed to muter speed. T Berry (ENTHUSIASM) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1600 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MEDALLIST, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. When MEDALLIST was checked, OXFORD CHARLEY shifted in away from the heels of that horse, resulting in WAYFOONG EXPRESS being crowded for room outside CULTURAL CITY. T Berry was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 21 July 2013 on which day he may resume race riding. The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 10 July 2013. T Berry also pleaded guilty to a further charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of GOLDEN SCALPEL, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. T Berry was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 21 July 2013 on which day he may resume race riding. The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 10 July 2013. The Stewards ruled that the terms of suspensions be served concurrently. For some distance after the 1600 Metres, MEDALLIST travelled keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ENTHUSIASM. After the 1200 Metres, MALHECHOR GOLD commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions. Near the 900 Metres, OXFORD CHARLEY was steadied away from the heels of MEDALLIST. Near the 600 Metres, LUCKY OMENS got its head on the side and hung in towards the heels of OXFORD CHARLEY. LUCKY OMENS continued to hang in badly rounding the Home Turn and in the Straight and consequently proved very difficult to ride. CULTURAL CITY and WAYFOONG EXPRESS were held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight. From after the 300 Metres until approaching the 150 Metres, PEPPERMINT was held up for clear running and then when attempting to obtain clear running between FOLLOW THE WIND and OXFORD CHARLEY after the 100 Metres, PEPPERMINT became unbalanced due to being crowded for room when both these runners shifted ground slightly. The incident was then compounded when PEPPERMINT bumped the hindquarters of OXFORD CHARLEY, causing that horse to become unbalanced and being turned in across the running of PEPPERMINT. Because of this, PEPPERMINT was held up and was not able to be properly tested in the run to the finishing line. Near the 250 Metres, GOLDEN SCALPEL became unbalanced when bumped by ENTHUSIASM which shifted in. Near the 150 Metres, LUCKY OMENS, which was continuing to hang in, was steadied when disappointed for running between OXFORD CHARLEY which shifted out slightly and TOWERING STORM which got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. YOU KNOW I WIN travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that OXFORD CHARLEY was found to have sustained cuts to its left hind leg. MEDALLIST and WAYFOONG EXPRESS were sent for sampling. <2/7/2013 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Officer reported that CULTURAL CITY was lame in the right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, CULTURAL CITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.