26/01/2014  Shatin  Race 4

As the start was effected, LUFFY lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. ASCENSION was bumped by BUNDLE OF HEART which shifted out on jumping. C K Tong (MALHECHOR GOLD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1200 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in, resulting in BRIGHT CONCEPT, which was racing to the inside of MALHECHOR GOLD, being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. ASCENSION, which was following BRIGHT CONCEPT, was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse, resulting in YOUNG TALENT being taken wider. C K Tong was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 20 February 2014 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 8 February 2014. Approaching the 1100 Metres, BUDDY MERRY, which was over-racing, proved very difficult to settle, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of BUNDLE OF HEART, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced and for BUDDY MERRY to be taken out onto the heels of LUCKY DAY. Approaching the 800 Metres, BUNDLE OF HEART was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching and passing the 400 Metres, MEDIC SWORDSMAN and LUCKY DAY bumped after racing tight as MEDIC SWORDSMAN improved between SUNNY PEARL and LUCKY DAY. Approaching the 200 Metres, QUANTUM POWER was steadied away from the heels of ASCENSION which shifted out into clear running. LEGEND EXPRESS was unable to obtain clear running over the final 150 Metres and because of this was not able to be fully tested. The performance of BUDDY MERRY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, BUDDY MERRY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the performance of WHY WHY, Z Purton stated that he had ridden the horse on a number of occasions in track work in the lead up to today’s race and, in his opinion, that work was good and based on this work it was anticipated that WHY WHY would perform well. He said the horse was able to enjoy a good run in the race behind the leaders, however, after being shifted out rounding the Home Turn into clear running, WHY WHY then finished off the race only fairly. He added whilst the horse did want to get its head on the side and lay in in the Straight, this did not account for its performance today as it had previously shown this tendency in its races. He said, in his opinion, WHY WHY is somewhat immature and may benefit from being given a let-up. A veterinary inspection of WHY WHY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WHY WHY, SUNNY PEARL and ASCENSION were sent for sampling.