Stewards for the Hong Kong Jockey Club re-convened one day after the International Races to conclude an inquiry into the condition of Singapore's Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City) prior to his run in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint at Sha Tin Nov. 23.
A report emerged following that race that the 5-year-old had briefly exhibited 'restricted action' in his right hind leg in the stable area prior to being led over for the race. In previous testimony, trainer John O'Hara stated that he had massaged the gelding's affected hoof until he was comfortable on it. Spalato exhibited no signs of distress in the parade ring or behind the stalls and was pronounced fit to run.
In a ruling issued Monday, the stewards announced that O'Hara would be fined HK$75,000 and that the trainer had pleaded guilty to a breach of a rule of racing which reads: “Each trainer shall as soon as practicable report to the Veterinary Officer any veterinary condition having the potential to affect, or which might have affected, a horse's performance in any race.”
In assessing the fine, stewards recognized that O'Hara had volunteered the information, albeit after the race, and took into consideration the forthright nature of O'Hara's testimony throughout the inquiry. Stewards indicated that absent this sort of candor, the fine they assessed would likely have been much larger.
Spalato, who was undefeated in six starts prior to the Jockey Club Sprint, was 12th behind Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) in Sunday's G1 Hong Kong Sprint.
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