03/09/2016  Shatin  Race 3

BORN IN CHINA began awkwardly and shortly after the start was checked when crowded for room between I'M IN CHARGE and KEY WITNESS which was taken out by DASHING FELLOW. Apprentice H T Mo (AMBER SKY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 850 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of GOLDEN HARVEST, causing that horse to be hampered and taken in onto DASHING FELLOW which was also hampered and taken across the running of BLIZZARD which was severely checked. LUCKY YEAR, which was racing inside BLIZZARD, was also hampered when crowded for room. DIVINE BOY, which was following BLIZZARD, was badly checked in consequence. BORN IN CHINA shifted out away from the heels of BLIZZARD, resulting in DUNDONNELL being taken wider. In this incident, PACKING PINS was also inconvenienced. Having regard to the fact that Apprentice Mo is not currently approved to ride at Happy Valley, the Stewards decided that the appropriate penalty was for his licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to expire on Sunday, 2 October 2016 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, 11 September 2016. During this period, there are three racemeetings scheduled to be conducted at Sha Tin Racecourse. In assessing penalty, the Stewards had regard to the fact that whilst this was the first day on which Apprentice Mo was riding in Hong Kong, he had gained considerable overseas riding experience and also that the interference, sustained predominantly by BLIZZARD, was significant. Passing the 500 Metres, DIVINE BOY raced tight inside DASHING FELLOW. Rounding the Home Turn, BLIZZARD got its head up when being checked away from the heels of PACKING PINS. Passing the 150 Metres, DASHING FELLOW shifted in and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of DIVINE BOY. Throughout the race, I'M IN CHARGE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of DUNDONNELL, Z Purton stated that rounding the first turn after the 900 Metres DUNDONNELL commenced to hang out and became unbalanced in its action. He said after being taken wider passing the 800 Metres DUNDONNELL continued to hang out and at no stage was he able to get the horse to be properly balanced. He added DUNDONNELL, in particular, hung out rounding the Home Turn which was in contrast to the manner in which it trialed in the lead up to today's race when it performed quite tractably. He said in the early part of the Straight DUNDONNELL continued to be awkward in its action and as he had concerns regarding the manner in which DUNDONNELL was travelling, he eased it down in the latter part of the Straight. A veterinary inspection of DUNDONNELL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DUNDONNELL was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DUNDONNELL will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DASHING FELLOW immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. LUCKY YEAR and KEY WITNESS were sent for sampling.