04/02/2009  Happy Valley  Race 3

On jumping, BUNDLE O' GOLD was taken back. Approaching the turn at the 600 Metres, HIT SONG was carried into a three wide position without cover by ADAIKALI which shifted out after being crossed by CANNONISE. Shortly after straightening, HONGKONG SUPERSTAR was steadied when disappointed for running between ADAIKALI and HIT SONG. The declaration of weighed-in was deferred as the Stewards considered an incident which cast doubt on whether CANNONISE ought be declared the 2nd placegetter. D Whyte, the rider of HONGKONG SUPERSTAR, 3rd placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against CANNONISE (Apprentice M L Yeung) being declared 2nd placegetter alleging interference in the Home Straight. The evidence disclosed that after HONGKONG SUPERSTAR had had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight, it then established rightful running between ADAIKALI and CANNONISE near the 200 Metres. After establishing this running, CANNONISE then shifted out when not clear of HONGKONG SUPERSTAR, causing that horse to be steadied and then for some distance HONGKONG SUPERSTAR was carried wider by CANNONISE which shifted out. As the Stewards, bearing in mind the nose margin between the horses at the end of the race, formed the opinion that had the interference received by HONGKONG SUPERSTAR not occurred, that horse would have finished in front of CANNONISE, therefore the protest/objection was sustained. Accordingly the amended placings became No. 5, BUNDLE O' GOLD, 1st; No. 2, HONGKONG SUPERSTAR, 2nd; No. 1, CANNONISE, 3rd; and No. 3, ADAIKALI, 4th. At a subsequent inquiry, Apprentice Yeung pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out a considerable distance when not clear of HONGKONG SUPERSTAR, causing that horse to be carried from running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 19 February 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday 11 February 2009. At the 50 Metres, HIT SONG was steadied away from the heels of ADAIKALI which shifted out. After this, HIT SONG had difficulty obtaining clear running and because of this was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. When questioned, D Whyte said he followed ADAIKALI and CANNONISE around the Home Turn and into the Home Straight. He said he noted the rider of CANNONISE had that horse's head turned in in an endeavour to prevent it from shifting out. He said because of this he commenced to shift away from the rail looking for a run. He said shortly after straightening ADAIKALI shifted wider and running presented itself between that horse and CANNONISE. He said when this running presented itself, he immediately commenced to ride his mount along in an endeavour to go between these runners. He said near the 250 Metres when CANNONISE then commenced to shift wider, he was positioned outside the heels of that horse and for him to have taken clear running which was available to the inside of that horse would have required him to come back on his mount before switching in across the heels of CANNONISE. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on ESPERANZA at the request of Trainer P O'Sullivan. The Veterinary Officer said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ESPERANZA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BUNDLE O' GOLD and HONGKONG SUPERSTAR were sent for sampling.