03/04/2016  Shatin  Race 6

CALIFORNIA JOY began awkwardly and lost ground. MY FOLKS shifted out at the start and bumped JAEGER BOMB. Near the 1300 Metres, HAPPY AGILITY was steadied away from the heels of BULB MASTER (Z Purton) which shifted in when not properly clear and then was steadied. Z Purton was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in future. Passing the 1300 Metres, ROYALE ELEGANCE proved very difficult to settle and got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied. Near the 1050 Metres, GORGEOUS LEGEND and HAPPY AGILITY raced tight. Approaching the 500 Metres, CALIFORNIA JOY shifted out and made contact with the hindquarters of GORGEOUS LEGEND which became unbalanced. C Y Ho (CALIFORNIA JOY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 350 Metres he directed his mount out, resulting in CALIFORNIA JOY making heavy contact with GORGEOUS LEGEND, causing that horse and CALIFORNIA JOY to become badly unbalanced. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 17 April 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, 10 April 2016. In addition, C Y Ho was fined $25,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Jockey Ho's good race riding record during the most recent 2014/2015 and current racing seasons, however, also had regard to the degree of interference suffered by GORGEOUS LEGEND which, in the opinion of the Stewards, was at the higher end. Throughout the race, SIR JOHN travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, K C Leung (WEALTHY FORTUNE) stated that it was anticipated today's race would be run at a good tempo as there were a number of horses engaged which normally race in a forward position. He said with WEALTHY FORTUNE dropping back in distance to 1600 Metres, he was asked to ensure that the horse began positively and then obtain a position with cover in the early stages. He said after WEALTHY FORTUNE began well, he rode his mount along in the initial stages and then approaching the 1500 Metres commenced to shift it in to obtain cover closer to the rail. He said he had hoped to follow GORGEOUS LEGEND in the run, however, HAPPY AGILITY, which was racing in advance of WEALTHY FORTUNE, was steadying and this resulted in WEALTHY FORTUNE racing slightly further back than had been anticipated to continue to follow that horse. He said this also resulted in WEALTHY FORTUNE being awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY AGILITY passing the 1000 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BULB MASTER, Z Purton stated that stepping up in distance today, the horse was able to obtain a forward position without having to be made use of. He said however that BULB MASTER did not travel comfortably throughout the early and middle stages and was inclined to race with its head on the side. He said BULB MASTER came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then, despite being ridden out in the Straight, was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to close off the race. He added BULB MASTER raced "flat" today. A veterinary inspection of BULB MASTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of RED PEONY immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse's trachea. CALIFORNIA JOY and STAR OF BOND were sent for sampling.