01/07/2014  Shatin  Race 6

EXCITABLE BOY was withdrawn on 29.6.14 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (intermittent right fore lameness with a sore fetlock) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter NOVEL START. Before being allowed to race again, EXCITABLE BOY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From wide barriers, TELECOM TOP STAR, REAL CHAMPION and SUCCESSFUL LEADER were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. N Callan (HURRY HURRY UP) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of GRAND PLUS, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In considering all the circumstances, the Stewards decided to exercise their discretion provided to them by the Rules of Racing to defer Jockey Callan’s suspension from riding in races to commence on the first racemeeting of the 2014/2015 racing season and thereafter for a period incorporating the first three racemeetings of the season (3 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, N Callan was fined $30,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. Making the turn near the 700 Metres, GRAND PLUS raced tight inside HURRY HURRY UP. Then near the 500 Metres, GRAND PLUS was steadied when continuing to race tight inside HURRY HURRY UP and outside CONFUCIUS ELITE (K Teetan) which shifted to the outside of NOVEL START. K Teetan was advised to exercise care when shifting ground. After the 200 Metres, GRAND PLUS shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of CONFUCIUS ELITE when attempting to improve between that horse and NOVEL START where there was doubtful room. In this incident, GRAND PLUS became unbalanced and near the 150 Metres was checked away from the heels of NOVEL START after shifting in towards the heels of that horse which shifted out slightly under pressure. After this, GRAND PLUS was buffeted for room between NOVEL START and CONFUCIUS ELITE which was racing tight inside HURRY HURRY UP, causing both GRAND PLUS and CONFUCIUS ELITE to become unbalanced and for CONFUCIUS ELITE to make contact with the hindquarters of HURRY HURRY UP which also became unbalanced. Over the concluding stages, CONFUCIUS ELITE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HURRY HURRY UP. A veterinary inspection of EASY SUCCESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GRAND PLUS, NOVEL START and EL GRANDE were sent for sampling.