12/10/2013  Shatin  Race 8

WHAT YOU DREAM was withdrawn on 11.10.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter G-ONE LEADER (T H So). Before being allowed to race again, WHAT YOU DREAM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, HOXO lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. SEASONS STAR began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, COSTA DEL SOL and AEROVELOCITY both became unbalanced after bumping. From a wide barrier, MR GINGER was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. After being ridden along in the early stages, MERIDIAN TREASURE was taken across behind runners when left racing wide. Near the 1000 Metres, BIG FOUR got its head up when racing close to the heels of LAUGH OUT LOUD. C O’Donoghue (NORDIC ONE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of AEROVELOCITY, causing that horse to be hampered and taken in onto MONTE CASTELLO which was checked and in turn was taken across the rightful running of WINFULL PATROL which was severely checked when it lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. When WINFULL PATROL was severely checked, HELEN’S CHOICE, which was following, was severely checked away from the heels of that horse in consequence, shifted out and in doing so bumped BIG FOUR which in turn was taken out onto BERLINSKI which was taken wider. COSTA DEL SOL, which was racing to the outside of BERLINSKI, was steadied away from the heels of that horse. When HELENE’S CHOICE was checked, MERIDIAN TREASURE, which was following, was checked away from the heels of that horse and shifted out. G-ONE LEADER, which was also racing behind HELEN’S CHOICE, was hampered in consequence. C O’Donoghue was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 31 October 2013 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting next Wednesday, 16 October 2013. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the high degree of carelessness exhibited by Jockey O’Donoghue in this incident and the severity of the interference. After the 900 Metres, SEASONS STAR was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 700 Metres, HOXO commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions and shifted out away from the heels of G-ONE LEADER. MONTE CASTELLO was badly held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight and near the 200 Metres was steadied when disappointed for running between NORDIC ONE and AEROVELOCITY. After this, MONTE CASTELLO was shifted to the outside of AEROVELOCITY into clear running. T Angland, the rider of the 5th placed, MONTE CASTELLO, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts out all the way to the end of the race where circumstances permit. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that WINFULL PATROL was lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, WINFULL PATROL will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of HELEN’S CHOICE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of HELEN’S CHOICE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, HELENE’S CHOICE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BERLINSKI and LAUGH OUT LOUD were sent for sampling.