27/01/2008  Shatin  Race 4

GUAN DAO was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, MAGIC TURBO was checked when crowded for room between NORDIC STAR and SUPER GENERAL which was carried out by MASSIVE STAR. Also shortly after the start, WHIPLASH was steadied when crowded for room inside LUCIA which itself was tightened inside SPRING SUN when carried in by NORTHERN HERO. Over the final 400 Metres, MAGIC TURBO hung in. After the 300 Metres, NORTHERN HERO got its head on the side and hung in. After this, NORTHERN HERO was momentarily steadied when having difficulty obtaining clear running. In the run to the line, NORTHERN HERO then hung in. After the 200 Metres, SPRING SUN was shifted in to obtain clear running. Apprentice K L Chui (COSMO SUCCESSOR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of LUCIA, causing that horses to lose its rightful running and be checked. Having considered the submission put by Mr A S Cruz, the allocated trainer of Apprentice Chui, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for Apprentice Chui’s licence to ride in races be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday 21 February 2008 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 Saturday 9 February 2008. C Soumillon (WHIPLASH), which was having its first start from a spell and was racing back in distance to 1000 Metres, said it was not anticipated the horse would have sufficient speed to obtain a forward position. He said he was told to have WHIPLASH travel comfortably, ensure he rode his mount out over the final 500 Metres and endeavour to have the horse close the race off strongly. He said shortly after the start WHIPLASH received some crowding and he immediately shifted the horse across behind runners to race on the outside rail. He said at the 500 Metres he commenced to ride WHIPLASH along hands and heels and the horse responded moderately. He said he continued to ride WHIPLASH along and over the final 200 Metres the horse closed the race off nicely. C Soumillon was told his explanation would be reported. When questioned regarding the poor performance of LUCIA, F Coetzee said he had to make some use of his mount to obtain a forward position after being crowded for room at the start. He said LUCIA travelled comfortably until after the 500 Metres, however, when the pace of the race quickened, LUCIA was left flat-footed. He said LUCIA kept on one-paced until after the 200 Metres when it commenced to give ground. He added the margin that LUCIA was beaten was exaggerated as the horse was checked over the final 100 Metres. He said throughout the race LUCIA felt fine in its action and when returning after the race he did not feel any abnormalities with the horse. Mr J Size, trainer of LUCIA, said in his opinion the performance of LUCIA today indicated the horse was feeling the effects of having three hard prior runs carrying big weights. He said LUCIA has a history of feet problems, however, the horse was in a suitable condition to race today. He said prior to LUCIA’s previous run when the horse was successful, he had eased off the horse’s work in the lead up to the race as the horse is not a good doer. He said as the horse was successful on that occasion, he again eased off the horse’s work leading into today’s race to adopt a similar pattern. Mr Size said it is now his intention to spell the horse. LUCIA was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of LUCIA after the race did not show any significant findings. B Prebble (THUNDER FLASH) said from an inside barrier he was instructed to allow his mount to begin, not ride along in the early stages and shift across with the field to race as close as possible to the outside fence. He said THUNDER FLASH began well, immediately showed superior speed to horses drawn on its outside and he accordingly allowed THUNDER FLASH to gradually shift towards the outside fence. He said in his opinion the tempo of the early stages of the race was not that quick, because of this he allowed THUNDER FLASH to stride forward and as a consequence the horse travelled further forward than anticipated. MAGIC CHARIOT and THUNDER FLASH were sent for sampling. After the race, it was reported SPRING SUN had lost its left front plate.