15/12/2010  Happy Valley  Race 7

Whilst parading, the tongue tie fitted to TOY STORY came loose. On arrival at the barriers, the tongue tie was refitted to TOY STORY. EURO SWIFTLY began awkwardly. Approaching the 1200 Metres, AMAZING JOURNEY commenced to over-race and was checked away from the heels of MASTER RIO. Near the 1000 Metres, LUNAR REFLECTIONS got its head on the side and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HELENE WITTY. Rounding the Home Turn, ROYAL PANACHE was bumped and taken wider by HELENE WITTY which itself was bumped by LUNAR REFLECTIONS which shifted to the outside of MASTER RIO which was giving ground. Also rounding the Home Turn, LEO’S PRIDE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EURO SWIFTLY which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JUGGERNAUT. For some distance prior to the 250 Metres, LUNAR REFLECTIONS raced in restricted room between MASTER RIO and HELENE WITTY which got its head on the side and shifted in. Then passing the 250 Metres, LUNAR REFLECTIONS was checked when crowded for room between HELENE WITTY which shifted in and MASTER RIO which was taken out by JUGGERNAUT. Near the 200 Metres, VILASOL was bumped by OTTIMO which shifted in. From after the 100 Metres until passing the 50 Metres, EURO SWIFTLY was unable to improve when held up for clear running. Apprentice C Y Ho (OTTIMO) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 50 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of VILASOL, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 6 January 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Thursday, 23 December 2010. Throughout the race, HELENE WITTY and JUGGERNAUT travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of LUNAR REFLECTIONS after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, LUNAR REFLECTIONS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MASTER RIO after the race did not show any significant findings. OTTIMO, PROJECT RUNWAY and EURO SWIFTLY were sent for sampling.