18/01/2015  Shatin  Race 2

TIMELY ARRIVED and FAY DEEP were crowded for room on jumping between RUGBY DIAMOND and SOLAR SPIRIT which shifted out after beginning awkwardly. GOOD LUCK BOY shifted out at the start and bumped SUCCESS ROAD which in turn shifted out and bumped DO YOU GET IT which had begun awkwardly. Shortly after the start, DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS raced tight between FAITHFUL BOY and CODE STAR which shifted out. K C Leung (FAY DEEP) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 800 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of MELLIFLUENT, significantly contributing to that horse being crowded for room and being checked when racing inside of DIAMOND MYSTERIOUS. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 29 January 2015 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting next Wednesday, 21 January 2015. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Jockey Leung’s good race riding record during the most recent 2013/2014 and current racing seasons. In the early and middle stages, GOOD LUCK BOY travelled keenly and proved difficult to settle and near the 500 Metres shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of DARK CORE and in doing so bumped FAY DEEP. GOOD LUCK BOY then continued to race keenly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of DARK CORE and near the 250 Metres was checked away from the heels of that horse when unable to obtain clear running. For some distance after the 200 Metres, DO YOU GET IT was badly held up for clear running. Then close to the finishing line, DO YOU GET IT was awkwardly placed inside the heels of EXCITABLE BOY and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. B Prebble (TIMELY ARRIVED) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 150 Metre he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of RUGBY DIAMOND, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 12 February 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, 1 February 2015. Throughout the race, FAITHFUL BOY raced greenly and near the 100 Metres was initially shifted to the inside of RUGBY DIAMOND before being shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse near the 50 Metres when continuing to race greenly. FAITHFUL BOY was then unable to obtain clear running over the concluding stages and consequently was not able to be fully tested. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MELLIFLUENT, N Callan stated that after being fractious in the barriers, his mount was slow to begin. He said he then rode the horse along in an endeavour to make up lost ground. He said although MELLIFLUENT struck interference near the 800 Metres, it was never travelling well and was disappointing. He added, in his opinion, MELLIFLUENT is best suited by being able to obtain a position without having to be made use of in the early stages. A veterinary inspection of MELLIFLUENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that EXCITABLE BOY had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of FAITHFUL BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MELLIFLUENT, GOOD LUCK BOY and TIMELY ARRIVED were sent for sampling.