26/02/2014  Happy Valley  Race 5

DRAGON BACHELOR and MR MARFACH were slow to begin. SUPER STRIKE began awkwardly. From the outside barriers, DRAGON PINS and SPICY SIAM were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Apprentice C Y Lui (EASY AHEAD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1700 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of WIN ALONG, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Lui was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 13 March 2014 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting this Saturday, 1 March 2014. Near the 650 Metres, MAZANDARAN was momentarily crowded for room between WIN ALONG and EAGLE SPIRIT, both of which shifted ground. Near the 450 Metres, EAGLE SPIRIT and DRAGON BACHELOR bumped. Rounding the Home Turn, MR MARFACH was checked away from the heels of HEI HEI POSH and then in the early part of the Straight had difficulty obtaining clear running. Also rounding the Home Turn, BACKBENCH BLUES raced in restricted room for some distance between EASY AHEAD and MAZANDARAN. Approaching the 200 Metres, MAZANDARAN was steadied away from the heels of DRAGON BACHELOR (C K Tong) which shifted in while hanging. C K Tong was reprimanded and advised that he would be expected to make more effort than he did on this occasion to prevent his mount from shifting ground. After this, DRAGON BACHELOR continued to hang in under pressure and close to the finishing line shifted in abruptly, resulting in C K Tong having to stop riding and straighten his mount to prevent it from shifting in further towards BACKBENCH BLUES. For the majority of the race, EAGLE SPIRIT travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of YUAN’S FORTUNE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MR MARFACH and HEI HEI POSH were sent for sampling.