22/05/2013  Happy Valley  Race 6

TURF MAGIC was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, MEDIC SWORDSMAN was crowded for room inside MULTIVICTORY which was taken in by DELIGHT FORTUNE which got its head on the side and shifted in away from TOMODACHI. Also shortly after the start, TURIN CHAMPION was crowded for room between JOYFUL THE GREAT and GRIMMY which after shifting out slightly then shifted out further after being bumped on the hindquarters by TURIN CHAMPION. Making the first turn after the 1000 Metres, GRIMMY (Z Purton) got its head on the side and hung out. Then making the turn after the 600 Metres, GRIMMY again got its head on the side and hung out badly, particularly rounding the Home Turn. GRIMMY then gave ground in the Straight. After the race, Z Purton reported that GRIMMY made an abnormal breathing noise immediately after the race. A veterinary inspection of GRIMMY immediately following the race revealed the horse to be lame in the right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, GRIMMY will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. R Fourie (TOMODACHI) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 200 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting out when not clear of SUPREME FALCON, resulting in that horse being bumped and taken out across the rightful running of JOYFUL THE GREAT which was checked when crowded for room inside GRIMMY. R Fourie was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 20 June 2013 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, 12 June 2013. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the circumstances of this incident, most notably that TOMODACHI shifted out at the same time when MULTIVICTORY, to its inside, also shifted ground. When questioned, C K Tong stated that, from barrier 12, he had been asked to ride HIGHEST ACCLAIM in a position behind the leaders if possible and to obtain cover. He said the horse was successful at its last start when ridden in a forward position from an inside barrier. He said on arrival at the Start he gave HIGHEST ACCLAIM a thorough warm up in an endeavour to have it begin better. He said HIGHEST ACCLAIM began fairly and he immediately rode the horse aggressively to take up a forward position and attempt to obtain cover behind GRIMMY making the first turn. He said however that COUNTRY CHARM was able to obtain the position behind GRIMMY and therefore he was not able to obtain cover behind that horse. He said he did give consideration to riding HIGHEST ACCLAIM along so as to obtain a position closer to the rail, however, he was mindful that he had made significant use of the horse in the early stages and he did not believe HIGHEST ACCLAIM would then have sufficient speed to continue on. He added because of this HIGHEST ACCLAIM was left racing very wide and without cover throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of HIGHEST ACCLAIM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards will question Trainer C Fownes regarding the instructions provided to Jockey Tong prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 26 May 2013. MULTIVICTORY and TURF MAGIC were sent for sampling.