20/12/2014  Shatin  Race 9

SICHUAN VIGOUR began awkwardly. From wide barriers, KABAYAN and MAJESTIC ANTHEM were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, PENGLAI XIANZI was slow to muster speed and raced wide until the 1100 Metres. PENGLAI XIANZI was again left racing wide and without cover after the 900 Metres. At the 1400 Metres, SICHUAN VIGOUR shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY FOREVER, resulting in FREE JUDGEMENT and GUN PIT being crowded for room inside MAJESTIC ANTHEM. Apprentice K C Ng (PENGLAI XIANZI) 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 MAJESTIC ANTHEM, resulting in that horse being taken in onto GUN PIT, causing that horse to become unbalanced and to be checked and in turn shift in onto FREE JUDGEMENT which was also checked when crowded for room. Apprentice Ng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 8 January 2015 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, 28 December 2014. For some distance after the 900 Metres, WONDERFUL GUY lay in and making the turn near the 700 Metres shifted in and brushed the running rail, resulting in the horse becoming unbalanced and losing ground. Approaching and passing the 600 Metres, NOBLE ALPHA and FREE JUDGEMENT raced tight. In the Straight, APPROVE lay out under pressure. A veterinary inspection of EAGLE POWER immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in the horse’s trachea. GUN PIT and MAJESTIC ANTHEM were sent for sampling.