20/12/2008  Shatin  Race 5

At the time of declarations, Jockey B Doyle, Trainer T W Leung’s Stable Retained Jockey, was declared as the rider of BLAZE KING, trained by Mr A T Millard, whilst Club Jockey J Victoire was declared as the rider of SOARING RIVER, trained by Mr Leung. As the regulations stipulate that a retained jockey cannot ride outside of his retaining stable if that stable engages the services of a jockey who is not eligible to claim a weight allowance, the Stewards ruled that B Doyle ride SOARING RIVER. As such, K T Yeung was substituted as the rider of BLAZE KING. It was established that Mr Leung was of the belief that SOARING RIVER, taking into account its 5 lb weight-for-age allowance, would be required to carry a weight of less than its declared handicap weight of 119 lbs which would be outside of B Doyle’s minimum riding weight. He therefore allowed B Doyle to accept the ride on BLAZE KING . For this declaration error, Mr Leung was fined $2,000. SUPER CAGA began awkwardly and lost ground. SOARING RIVER was slow to begin. SILENT DRAGON began awkwardly and shifted out. On jumping, KINDACROSS was crowded for room between GO DAN GO which began awkwardly and shifted out and GOOD DISHES which shifted in. Shortly after the start, GO DAN GO was hampered by KINDACROSS which shifted in after being bumped by GOOD DISHES. Near the 200 Metres, GO DAN GO, which was commencing to close the race off from a rearward position, was initially steadied and shifted out away from the heels of MR COOL, then shortly afterwards was again steadied and shifted out further away from the heels of MASTER CRISTO. WHISKY POWER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WHISKY POWER after the race did not show any significant findings. BLAZE KING and TUSCAN SPIRIT were sent for sampling.