11/06/2014  Shatin  Race 3

SPLENDID VICTORY began awkwardly and shifted out at the start and consequently made heavy contact with the hindquarters of WILD BOY which became unbalanced. MR VANILLA was crowded for room at the start between WIN CHANCE and UNBEATABLE GUTS which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. THOR THE GREATEST began only fairly and shortly after the start was crowded for room between RAY OF GOLD and YEUNG SING, both of which shifted ground. ALLEY-OOP was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, BLISS CARTEL was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the 1100 Metres, SECRET IDENTITY was momentarily steadied away from the heels of CHEERS VICTORIES (H W Lai) which shifted in when not properly clear. H W Lai was advised to exercise more care in future. After passing the 1100 Metres, WIN CHANCE was steadied away from the heels of UNBEATABLE GUTS (H Bowman) which shifted in when not properly clear. H Bowman was advised to ensure that he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground in future. H Bowman (UNBEATABLE GUTS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in, causing SPLENDID VICTORY to be crowded for room and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. When being checked, SPLENDID VICTORY got its head up, shifted in abruptly and made heavy contact with the inside rail, causing the horse to become further unbalanced. H Bowman was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 13 July 2014 on which day he may resume race riding. The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 28 June 2014. For a considerable distance after the 850 Metres, SPLENDID VICTORY proved very difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of UNBEATABLE GUTS. Passing the 800 Metres, YEUNG SING became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of BERNARD’S CHOICE. Approaching the 300 Metres, A Suborics (YEUNG SING) dropped his whip. As this was the third occasion this season that Jockey Suborics had dropped his whip in races, he was placed on notice that should he offend again prior to the end of this season, he may be penalized. At the 300 Metres, MR VANILLA was steadied when disappointed for running between RAY OF GOLD and THOR THE GREATEST which, when giving ground, shifted out. T Berry stated that after this MR VANILLA lost its momentum and then was not able to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MR VANILLA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Passing the 250 Metres, UNBEATABLE GUTS and WILD BOY bumped on a number of occasions when UNBEATABLE GUTS attempted to shift out from behind CHEERS VICTORIES. UNBEATABLE GUTS was then held up for clear running and approaching the 100 Metres shifted out to improve between CHEERS VICTORIES and WILD BOY and in doing so bumped with WILD BOY on two further occasions. A veterinary inspection of SECRET IDENTITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MR VANILLA, CHEERS VICTORIES and UNBEATABLE GUTS were sent for sampling.