26/09/2012  Happy Valley  Race 6

HANDSOME BATCHELOR began awkwardly. H W Lai (SUNNY SKY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the winning post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of NOBLE DE EST, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 25 October 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Wednesday, 17 October 2012. Passing the 1100 Metres and again after the 900 Metres, BLOSSOM DAILY got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of RECORD HIGH. At the 600 Metres, SUNNY SKY shifted in of its own accord, made heavy contact with the running rail and became unbalanced. A short distance later, SUNNY SKY again lost ground when reluctant to maintain its position inside NOBLE DE BEST. For a considerable distance after the 600 Metres, RECORD HIGH was taken back through the field by IRON HAWK which was giving ground abruptly. BLOSSOM DAILY, which was following RECORD HIGH, was also unable to improve as a consequence. Shortly after entering the Straight, BLOSSOM DAILY was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of HANDSOME BATCHELOR after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. Near the 100 Metres, SUNNY SKY was shifted in away from the heels of ALL THE WINNERS which was giving ground. Throughout the race, IRON EAGLE travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of IRON EAGLE after the race revealed the horse had blood present at its left nostril. The Veterinary Officer said an endoscopic examination confirmed IRON EAGLE to be a bleeder. When questioned, Y T Cheng stated that he had been instructed to take up a forward position on BILLION as is usual. He said that when he had ridden BILLION previously, the horse had shown early natural speed and taking itself into forward positions without much use having to be made of the horse. He said BILLION did not show early speed tonight out of the barriers and for this reason he had to ride it along in an endeavour to have it improve its position. He said despite being ridden along, BILLION did not show the speed that it had shown previous seasons and for this reason he attempted, passing the winning post on the first occasion, to obtain cover behind RECORD HIGH. He said however that due to the position of runners to his inside, BILLION was not able to shift in and consequently was obliged to travel wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of ALL THE WINNERS after the race did not show any significant findings, however, an endoscopic examination was not able to be conducted on the horse. FORTUNE BRAVO and NOBLE DE BEST were sent for sampling.