16/12/2015  Happy Valley  Race 6

As the start was effected, KING'S STEED became fractious and consequently was slow to begin. INNOVATIVE WINNER began only fairly and shortly after the start was steadied when crowded for room between SPINNING DANCER and STAR OF BOND which shifted out. SIR JOHN was crowded for room on jumping between MIGHTY EQUUS and GOLD TALENT, both of which shifted ground. When GOLD TALENT was shifted out to relieve the tightening to SIR JOHN, it bumped DANEWIN EXPRESS. From the outside barrier, LUCKY BALL was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, KING'S STEED improved to be racing inside the heels of INNOVATIVE WINNER where there was insufficient room. At this time, INNOVATIVE WINNER was racing tight inside MIGHTY EQUUS. KING'S STEED was then checked away from the heels of INNOVATIVE WINNER for some distance after this incident. Approaching the 1200 Metres, PEARL WARM WARM, which was racing keenly, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of STAR OF BOND which was racing keenly when being steadied. K C Ng (SIR JOHN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at about the 1150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of STAR OF BOND, causing that horse to be checked away from the heels of SIR JOHN and in turn caused PEARL WARM WARM to be severely checked and shift out onto MIGHTY EQUUS, resulting in MIGHTY EQUUS striking the heels of PEARL WARM WARM and almost falling. INNOVATIVE WINNER, GOLD TALENT, KING'S STEED, RISING POWER and LUCKY BALL, which were following, were all severely hampered as a consequence. K C Ng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 14 January 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 27 December 2015. The Stewards advised Jockey Ng that in assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the high degree of carelessness exhibited by him in this incident and the consequential effects of his riding. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SIR JOHN and DANEWIN EXPRESS made contact. Passing the 400 Metres, INNOVATIVE WINNER became unbalanced after brushing the running rail. When INNOVATIVE WINNER became unbalanced, KING'S STEED shifted out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in MIGHTY EQUUS being taken wider. SMART UNION, which was following, shifted out away from the heels of MIGHTY EQUUS, causing GOLD TALENT to be taken wider. A veterinary inspection of GOLD TALENT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPINNING DANCER and PEARL WARM WARM were sent for sampling.