12/02/2014  Happy Valley  Race 8

MR MEDICI was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, ALWAYS SOMETHING was crowded for room between FAIRY EAGLE which shifted in and CLASSIC JEWELLERY which was taken out by TRUMP. HO IN ONE and MEDALLIST were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Near the 900 Metres, TRUMP shifted out away from the heels of FAIRY EAGLE when proving difficult to settle. Near the 500 Metres, FLEET COMMAND was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FUN TAPESTRY. Rounding the Home Turn, CLASSIC JEWELLERY and MAJESTIC ANTHEM bumped as CLASSIC JEWELLERY shifted out from behind FAIRY EAGLE after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse which commenced to give ground abruptly. Shortly after entering the Straight, HO IN ONE became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by ALWAYS SOMETHING. M Demuro (MAJESTIC ANTHEM) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 300 Metres he failed to take corrective measures sooner than he did to prevent his mount from shifting in, resulting in MAJESTIC ANTHEM bumping CLASSIC JEWELLERY, causing CLASSIC JEWELLERY to be taken across the rightful running of MR MEDICI which was checked. M Demuro was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 2 March 2014 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, 23 February 2014. In assessing the appropriate penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that this was the first occasion that Jockey Demuro had been charged with careless riding in Hong Kong during his current period of licensing, that MAJESTIC ANTHEM shifted ground quickly and the fact that he did attempt to take corrective measures to relieve the tightening to runners to his inside albeit belatedly. Throughout the race, MAJESTIC ANTHEM travelled wide and without cover. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FLEET COMMAND had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of MR MEDICI and MAJESTIC ANTHEM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. APPROVE and HO IN ONE were sent for sampling.