28/10/2007  Happy Valley  Race 9

Shortly after the start, MEDICO raced tight between MAVERICK and FLORAL NIRVANA. Near the 1700 Metres, MEDICO was steadied. At the 1700 Metres, SILVER MARK was steadied when awkwardly placed between EQUATOR KID and CRUSADER OF GOLD. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, MAVERICK and FLORAL NIRVANA were steadied away from the heels of KINGSGATE GLORY (K Shea) which shifted in when not properly clear. K Shea was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, MEDICO, which was proving difficult to settle, got its head up on a number of occasions. At the 1100 Metres, INDUSTRIAL EXPRESS, which had been unable to obtain a position with cover despite the efforts of its rider, was allowed to stride forward and cross to the lead. After the 1100 Metres, MAVERICK was left racing wide and without cover. At the 500 Metres, BEST POWER was steadied when awkwardly placed tight inside MEDICO and close to the heels of LUCKY MONEY. In the early part of the Straight, SAFETY FIRST hung in. K Shea (KINGSGATE GLORY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SAFETY FIRST, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and be checked. When SAFETY FIRST checked, LUCKY MONEY, which was following, was steadied in consequence. K Shea was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Wednesday 7 November 2007 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 next Wednesday 31 October 2007. In addition, K Shea was fined $15,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. When questioned, S K Sit (SILVER MARK) said he had been instructed to endeavour to have the horse begin well and allow it to travel in midfield or slightly worse. He said shortly after the start he received some crowding, he took SILVER MARK back and then raced at the rear. He said after entering the Back Straight he commenced to improve his position towards the outside of CRUSADER OF GOLD, however, when he did this CRUSADER OF GOLD shifted away from the rail and carried him to a three wide position. He said he remained racing in this position slightly behind CRUSADER OF GOLD until the 500 Metres when he endeavoured to go forward and prevent that runner from shifting out. He said when he did this NASA PEARL shifted out on the inside of CRUSADER OF GOLD and consequently that horse was carried wider which in turn resulted in SILVER MARK being carried wider. He said in the Straight SILVER MARK closed the race off strongly when ridden out. Mr D J Hall, trainer of SILVER MARK, said he had asked S K Sit to endeavour to have the horse begin well and ride it where it was comfortable. He said he was somewhat surprised to see the horse back at the rear of the field in the early stages. He said he was disappointed that after entering the Back Straight SILVER MARK did not improve its position on the outside of CRUSADER OF GOLD sooner which as a consequence allowed CRUSADER OF GOLD to shift away from the rail which caused SILVER MARK to cover additional ground. He did say in his opinion SILVER MARK should have begun its forward move sooner than it did after the 600 Metres. S K Sit was told his ride in the opinion of the Stewards lacked initiative and was not one of his better ones and in similar circumstances he would be expected to ride more competitively. In the circumstances, he was severely reprimanded. The explanation of Mr Hall was recorded. SAFETY FIRST and MEDICO were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SAFETY FIRST and MEDICO after the race did not show any significant findings. CRUSADER OF GOLD and SILVER MARK were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported NASA PEARL had blood present at its right nostril. He said an endoscopic examination showed the horse’s trachea to be clean and as such was not deemed to have bled.