20/03/2016  Shatin  Race 1

C K Tong (INNOVATIVE WINNER) was fined the sum of $2,000 for presenting himself to be weighed out with the incorrect saddle cloth number. INNOVATIVE WINNER began only fairly. ALL IS WELL shifted out at the start and bumped GREAT SPEED which became unbalanced. A short distance after the start, GREAT SPEED was then steadied when crowded for room between ALL IS WELL and BERNARD'S CHOICE which was taken in by JOY TOGETHER (C Schofield). C Schofield was advised to exercise more care. Passing the 1300 Metres, PLAIN BLUE BANNER and FAST AND FURIOUS bumped on a number of occasions due to both horses shifting ground. JOY TOGETHER lost its left front plate near the 1200 Metres. GOLDEN GUNNERS travelled keenly in the early and middle stages. In the early part of the Straight, PLAIN BLUE BANNER hung in and passing the 350 Metres shifted in, resulting in INNOVATIVE WINNER racing tight between PLAIN BLUE BANNER and ALL IS WELL. On a number of occasions in the early part of the Straight, GOLDEN GUNNERS was bumped by GOOD METHOD (G Mosse) which shifted to the outside of JOY TOGETHER to obtain clear running. In this incident, GOOD METHOD also became unbalanced as a consequence of the contact. G Mosse was advised to exercise due care when shifting ground to obtain clear running in similar circumstances. G Lerena (FAST AND FURIOUS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of BERNARD'S CHOICE, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. GREAT SPEED, which was following BERNARD'S CHOICE, was inconvenienced in consequence. G Lerena was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 7 April 2016 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 on Thursday, 31 March 2016. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Jockey Lerena's good overall race riding record. Near the 50 Metres, PLAIN BLUE BANNER was crowded for room inside THUNDERSTROKE which shifted in marginally. When directed out to relieve the tightening to PLAIN BLUE BANNER, THUNDERSTROKE shifted out abruptly and became unbalanced. For the majority of the race, MASQUERADER and JOY TOGETHER travelled wide and without cover. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that JOY TOGETHER was lame in its left front leg with a puncture wound to the sole of the left front foot. Before being allowed to race again, JOY TOGETHER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FAST AND FURIOUS and GOOD METHOD were sent for sampling. <21/3/2016 Additional Veterinary Report>After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on FAST AND FURIOUS at the request of Trainer A T Millard. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, FAST AND FURIOUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.