The Hong Kong Jockey Club

MARCHAND D𦼦R and GREEN BIRDIE were slow to begin. On jumping, SUNNY POWER got its head up and lost ground. In the early stages, MISS ANDRETTI, which was racing wide and without cover, proved difficult to settle and got its head up. N Callow (WHY BE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that making the turn at the 800 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MISS ANDRETTI, causing that horse to be carried in and caused crowding on its inside to DESERT LORD which as a result was carried in across the rightful running of ABSOLUTE CHAMPION, causing that horse to be checked. SACRED KINGDOM and MARCHAND D𦼦R, which were following, were hampered in consequence. In the circumstances of this case, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for N Callow𠏋 licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to expire on Monday 24 December 2007 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension commences with immediate effect. Prior to straightening, GREEN BIRDIE was steadied and shifted to the outside of TIZA. B Prebble (ABSOLUTE CHAMPION) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of DESERT LORD, causing that horse to be carried in across the rightful running of BENBAUN which was checked. In this incident, SUNNY SING became unbalanced as a result of being bumped on the hindquarters by BENBAUN. B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 27 December 2007 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 15 December 2007. In addition, B Prebble was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. In the Straight, MARCHAND D𦼦R hung in. Throughout the race, WHY BE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the poor performance of MISS ANDRETTI, C Newitt explained from a wide barrier with the intention of going forward, he was required to make use of his mount in the early stages. He said as a consequence of this MISS ANDRETTI then proved difficult to settle and raced ungenerously. He said making the turn after the 800 Metres MISS ANDRETTI failed to change leads and raced on the wrong leg. He said MISS ANDRETTI did travel wide throughout the race, obtained cover for a short distance prior to straightening, but then failed to finish the race off. He said in his opinion the main reason for the performance of MISS ANDRETTI was racing on the wrong leg at its first start racing on a right handed track. MISS ANDRETTI was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of MISS ANDRETTI after the race did not show any significant findings. SACRED KINGDOM and ABSOLUTE CHAMPION were sent for sampling.