25/11/2015  Happy Valley  Race 6

At declaration time, B Prebble was declared as the rider of both STRONG FOUNDATION and ALBICELESTE. It was established that B Prebble had a firm commitment to ride STRONG FOUNDATION. As such, the Stewards permitted T H So to be substituted as the rider of ALBICELESTE. For this declaration error, B Prebble was fined $2,000. ALBICELESTE was withdrawn on 23.11.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swelling over left front tendon) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ROYAL PARTNER. Before being allowed to race again, ALBICELESTE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being presented in the Parade Ring, STRONG FOUNDATION shifted its right hind plate, resulting in the horse having to be removed from the Parade Ring in order to be replated. STRONG FOUNDATION was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that in his opinion it was suitable to race. On arrival at the Start, SHORT SQUEEZE was reported to have kicked a rail when proceeding to the barriers. SHORT SQUEEZE was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said that in his opinion it was suitable to race. AMAZINGLY was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, NOBLE DELUXE was hampered when bumped by ROYAL PARTNER which in turn was taken out by STRONG FOUNDATION. After this, ROYAL PARTNER, NOBLE DELUXE and PHOTON WILLIE were shifted across behind runners from wide barriers. Approaching the 1100 Metres, NOBLE DELUXE shifted out away from the heels of MARVEL TRIBE and was then left racing wide and without cover. NOBLE DELUXE was then allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead. Rounding the Home Turn, PHOTON WILLIE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ROYAL PARTNER. Near the 250 Metres, RUBY COAST became unbalanced after being bumped by PHOTON WILLIE (N Rawiller) which shifted out to obtain clear running. N Rawiller was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in future. Also near the 250 Metres, ROYAL PARTNER shifted out and bumped BEST HOPE. After this, ROYAL PARTNER lay out under pressure, resulting in BEST HOPE racing tight outside that horse for some distance after the 200 Metres. B Prebble (STRONG FOUNDATION) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of AMAZINGLY, causing that horse to be severely checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In respect to this charge, whilst B Prebble was entitled to recognition of a good race riding record, the Stewards considered the severity of the incident and accordingly found that the appropriate penalty was for B Prebble's licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday, 24 December 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, 13 December 2015. B Prebble also pleaded guilty to a further charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 150 Metres he failed to make sufficient endeavour to prevent his mount from shifting out when not clear of NOBLE DELUXE, causing that horse to be severely checked when taken out onto the hindquarters of SHORT SQUEEZE which was also badly hampered after becoming unbalanced. B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 24 December 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, 13 December 2015. The Stewards ruled that the terms of suspension be served concurrently in accordance with established practice. After the race, Apprentice H N Wong (BEST HOPE) reported that his saddle shifted back shortly after the start, placing him at a disadvantage. PHOTON WILLIE and STRONG FOUNDATION were sent for sampling.