02/11/2014  Shatin  Race 2

FORTUNE TERRITORY was slow to begin. YOU KNOW I WIN began awkwardly, then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed. UNBEATABLE GUTS shifted in at the start and bumped HARBOUR DELIGHT. From wide barriers, SERGEANT TITANIUM and HAPPY MOMENTS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1200 Metres, HARBOUR DELIGHT got its head on the side, shifted out and bumped UNBEATABLE GUTS. Near the 1100 Metres, UNBEATABLE GUTS, which had been awkwardly placed outside the heels of HARBOUR DELIGHT, was steadied when crowded for room between HARBOUR DELIGHT and BRIGHT CONCEPT, which when racing in restricted room inside SPEEDY LONGWAH (M L Yeung), got its head on the side and shifted in marginally away from that horse. M L Yeung was advised that whilst he was being given the benefit of the doubt as to whether his actions were solely responsible for this incident, nonetheless he was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in similar circumstances. LIGHTNING AND GOLD, which was following UNBEATABLE GUTS, got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Passing the 1000 Metres, BEAUTY JOURNEY shifted out away from the heels of LIGHTNING AND GOLD, resulting in YOU KNOW I WIN, which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BEAUTY JOURNEY, having to shift out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. SERGEANT TITANIUM lost its right front plate passing the 800 Metres. Approaching the 500 Metres, HARBOUR DELIGHT shifted out in an endeavour to improve between SPEEDY LONGWAH and BRIGHT CONCEPT. HARBOUR DELIGHT then shifted in after becoming unbalanced when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SPEEDY LONGWAH. When HARBOUR DELIGHT promptly shifted back out and resumed its position to the outside of the heels of SPEEDY LONGWAH, PENNY LANE, which was following and attempting to improve to the outside of that horse, shifted out further when having to be steadied away from the heels of HARBOUR DELIGHT in consequence. UNBEATABLE GUTS, which was racing to the outside of PENNY LANE, consequently became unbalanced when racing tight between PENNY LANE and OWNERS’ PRIDE. As the Stewards were of the opinion that there was no rider error involved in this incident, no further action was taken. FAY DEEP was held up for clear running until near the 300 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, UNBEATABLE GUTS, which was attempting to establish running to the outside of BRIGHT CONCEPT (W M Lai), was steadied when held up behind that horse which shifted out under pressure. W M Lai was advised that whilst UNBEATABLE GUTS had not properly established running to his outside, nonetheless he would be expected, in similar circumstances, to make every endeavour to keep his mount on a straight course. Then passing the 200 Metres, UNBEATABLE GUTS was again awkwardly placed outside BRIGHT CONCEPT which was taken out by HARBOUR DELIGHT (Apprentice C Y Lui). Apprentice Lui was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount when it shifts ground. Apprentice K C Ng (BEAUTY JOURNEY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 50 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of YOU KNOW I WIN, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Ng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 27 November 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, 15 November 2014. For the majority of the race, OWNERS’ PRIDE travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of OWNERS’ PRIDE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. UNBEATABLE GUTS, HARBOUR DELIGHT and BEAUTY JOURNEY were sent for sampling.