07/11/2012  Happy Valley  Race 2

CHEERS VICTORIES was slow to begin. DILIGENT III began awkwardly. HAPPY KAISER shifted in at the start and bumped GOLDEN BAUHINIA. Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, SUGAR PEGASUS got its head up and proved difficult to settle. Near the 800 Metres, CHEERS VICTORIES was steadied away from the heels of SUGAR PEGASUS which shifted out when over-racing. After this, SUGAR PEGASUS continued to prove difficult to settle and approaching the 600 Metres was checked away from the heels of HINYUEN PALADIN. Approaching the 500 Metres, SUGAR PEGASUS raced in restricted room between SPLENDID GUY and MR AWARD which shifted in slightly. R Fourie (SPLENDID GUY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of DILIGENT III, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. R Fourie was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 3 December 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 Sunday, 25 November 2012. For the majority of the race, MR AWARD travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Whyte stated that he had been instructed to ride GOLDEN BAUHINIA in about 5th or 6th position if possible. He said just prior to the gates opening, GOLDEN BAUHINIA became fractious and sat back in the stalls and because of this began awkwardly. He said shortly after the start GOLDEN BAUHINIA was bumped on the hindquarters by HAPPY KAISER and became further unbalanced. He said after the horse became unbalanced, he elected not to press forward as TOMODACHI had a clear advantage over GOLDEN BAUHINIA and that horse was racing wide. He said therefore he steadied GOLDEN BAUHINIA and obtained cover, however, this resulted in the horse racing much further back in the field than had been intended. A veterinary inspection of GOLDEN BAUHINIA and TOMODACHI after the race did not show any significant findings. VICTORY GENERAL and OCEAN WIDE were sent for sampling.