01/12/2013  Shatin  Race 6

GOLDEN CHOPSTICKS was withdrawn on 29.11.13 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (right fore tendon injury) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter OYSTER (W M Lai). Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN CHOPSTICKS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PINK SOLDIER was slow to begin. PACKING MOTOR shifted in at the start and crowded the room of GREAT STORIES. From wide barriers, SHIFACHI TRADITION, OYSTER and PRINCE OF SUNSHINE were all taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after entering the Straight, PERFECT JOY (T Angland) was steadied when unable to improve inside TARREGA where there was insufficient room. A short distance later, TARREGA shifted out slightly, resulting in T Angland again attempting to improve to the inside of TARREGA. However, near the 100 Metres, PERFECT JOY was steadied and shifted to the outside of TARREGA when disappointed for running inside that horse which shifted in marginally. As the Stewards were of the opinion that PERFECT JOY had not established clear running to the inside of TARREGA, no further action was taken. When PERFECT JOY shifted to the outside of TARREGA near the 100 Metres, it bumped READY TO CELEBRATE. C Y Ho (LORD DRAGON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of FOLLOW THE WIND, causing that horse to be taken in onto HEALTHY BLUEBERRY, resulting in both those horses being crowded for room and for FOLLOW THE WIND to strike the heels of LORD DRAGON and blunder badly. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 12 December 2013 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension is with immediate effect. PRINCE OF SUNSHINE was badly held up for clear running until after the 100 Metres. Near the 50 Metres, OYSTER was shifted in away from the heels of READY TO CELEBRATE to obtain clear running. Throughout the race, HEALTHY BLUEBERRY travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of FOLLOW THE WIND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PACKING MOTOR and PERFECT JOY were sent for sampling.