09/01/2016  Shatin  Race 2

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP shifted in at the start and bumped CRIMSON HEART. Shortly after the start, GOLDEN PARTNERS was crowded for room between HURRY HURRY UP and DRAGON ENERGY, both of which shifted ground. From a wide barrier, CROATIA was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. V Cheminaud (HAPPY FRIENDSHIP) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 1400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not properly clear of GOLDEN PARTNERS, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. V Cheminaud was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 25 January 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 17 January 2016. At the entrance to the Straight, COOL PAL and LUCKY BOLE made contact. In the early part of the Straight, DRAGON ENERGY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of COOL PAL. HAPPY FRIENDSHIP and MIZZEN GREY were held up for clear running until after the 250 Metres. Over the final 100 Metres, HAPPY FRIENDSHIP was not able to secure clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, HURRY HURRY UP was steadied when disappointed for running between JOY TOGETHER and LUCKY BOLE (N Rawiller) which shifted in. N Rawiller was advised that whilst HURRY HURRY UP had not established running to his inside, nonetheless in similar circumstances he must make more of an effort to keep his mounts on a straight course. After this, HURRY HURRY UP got its head on the side and shifted out abruptly, resulting in DRAGON ENERGY being momentarily crowded for room inside COOL PAL. Throughout the race, COOL PAL travelled wide and without cover. The performances of GOLDEN PARTNERS and SURREAL, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN PARTNERS and SURREAL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding his riding out of MIZZEN GREY over about the last 200 Metres, C Schofield stated that MIZZEN GREY was badly held up for clear running until after the 250 Metres at which time he was able to shift the horse out away from the heels of DRAGON ENERGY. He said he commenced to ride MIZZEN GREY along to improve into a run which was available in advance of MIZZEN GREY between COOL PAL and HEAR THE ROAR. He said when he was improving to the outside of the heels of COOL PAL, that horse commenced to drift out under pressure which resulted in MIZZEN GREY being awkwardly placed outside the heels of COOL PAL until passing the 100 Metres. He said he was wary at this time of COOL PAL shifting out further and he was hesitant to ride MIZZEN GREY aggressively at this stage until he was able to ascertain whether COOL PAL was going to continue to shift out. He said when he judged that COOL PAL was no longer shifting out and after HEAR THE ROAR was able to improve its position to the outside of MIZZEN GREY, he then placed the horse under pressure again, however, this was over the concluding stages of the race. C Schofield was advised that whilst the Stewards agreed that MIZZEN GREY had been badly held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight, they were of the opinion that he could have ridden MIZZEN GREY with more purpose after obtaining a position to the outside of COOL PAL. He was further advised that whilst COOL PAL did shift out marginally under pressure, nonetheless the Stewards were of the opinion that he could have made a greater effort to place the horse under pressure on this occasion. He was advised to ensure that he tests his mounts with sufficient vigour so as not to come under notice. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN PARTNERS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SURREAL immediately following the race confirmed the horse to be a "roarer" which had previously been reported. CRIMSON HEART and HEAR THE ROAR were sent for sampling.