09/03/2014  Shatin  Race 2

HOUSE OF LUCK was withdrawn on 8.3.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swelling over mouth) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter JOYFUL LUCK (T H So). Before being allowed to race again, HOUSE OF LUCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded, MY SURPLUS became fractious and reared on a number of occasions. MY SURPLUS then began awkwardly. Having in mind MY SURPLUS’ previous record in respect of barrier manners, the Stewards ruled that the horse must barrier trial satisfactorily before its next race start. STAND BY YOU was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of GENEROUS BOBO which was taken in by REAL FIT which shifted ground. Shortly after the start, FLASHING GUY raced tight between WHISTLE BLOWER and HAPPILY TIME which shifted in. Passing the 500 Metres, FLASHING GUY was held up for clear running when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SOUTHERN CROSS which was giving ground. SOUTHERN CROSS subsequently finished tailed out. The performance of SOUTHERN CROSS was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SOUTHERN CROSS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. C Y Ho (XI YING MEN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of WHISTLE BLOWER, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. HAPPILY TIME, which was following, was hampered in consequence. The Stewards ruled that Jockey Ho’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday, 10 April 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 Sunday, 30 March 2014. In addition, C Y Ho was fined $20,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. In ruling this penalty of suspension not be served immediately following the expiration of a previous period of suspension on Thursday, 20 March 2014, the Stewards were mindful of the fact that there may be a shortage of available jockeys for the Sha Tin racemeetings to be conducted on Sunday, 23 March 2014 and in particular on Sunday, 30 March 2014 on which day a number of riders will not be available to accept race riding engagements for the majority of the racemeeting due to riding engagements at the Dubai World Cup racemeeting on the evening of Saturday, 29 March 2014. Whilst this ruling is a departure from the normal policy of the Racing Stewards for periods of suspension to be served cumulatively, it was deemed to be in the best interests of all stakeholders for Jockey Ho to ride at these racemeetings, and in particular the racemeeting on 30 March 2014, so as to ensure that connections have a wider range of choice of jockeys. Near the 150 Metres, GENEROUS BOBO raced tight between XI YING MEN and REGENCY HO HO when improving into tight running between those horses. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of WHISTLE BLOWER, J Moreira stated that, from a favourable barrier, he had been asked to ride the horse in a forward position. He said in order to comply with his instructions, he had to ride WHISTLE BLOWER along in the early stages to prevent it from being crossed by other runners. He said he tried to have WHISTLE BLOWER balanced in the early stages, however, it did not travel comfortably and came off the bridle near the 600 Metres. He added although WHISTLE BLOWER suffered interference approaching the 200 Metres, the horse had been under considerable pressure for some distance leading up to this incident and irrespective of this incident WHISTLE BLOWER was very disappointing. A veterinary inspection of WHISTLE BLOWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on STAND BY YOU at the request of Trainer W Y So. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, STAND BY YOU will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MY SURPLUS lost its right front plate before the race commenced. WHISTLE BLOWER, GENEROUS BOBO and REGENCY HO HO were sent for sampling.