01/04/2009  Happy Valley  Race 2

Whilst in the holding stables, STEEL NERVES had its right hind plate reset. STEEL NERVES was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. TOUT VA BIEN bounded in the air at the start and lost ground. KING CREOLE began awkwardly. On jumping, WIND KNIGHT was taken back. Near the 1100 Metres, STEEL NERVES was momentarily steadied away from the heels of HONEST TREASURE. Making the Home Turn, TOUT VA BIEN became unbalanced when awkwardly placed inside the hindquarters of STEEL NERVES. K T Yeung (TRUE INTELLIGENCE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the turn at the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of METRO RIDER, causing that horse to be severely hampered and carried in across the rightful running of WINNING STRATEGY which as a result was checked. The Stewards, in arriving at what they believed to be the appropriate penalty, acknowledged that there was some contribution to this incident from the runners to the inside of WINNING STRATEGY when FLYING SPRINTER was carried out slightly by HONEST TREASURE which in turn was carried out by GLITTERING. As a result of these shifts, FLYING SPRINTER was hampered after being bumped heavily by WINNING STRATEGY. In the circumstances, it was decided the appropriate penalty was for K T Yeung’s licence to ride in races be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday 23 April 2009 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 Monday 13 April 2009. In addition, K T Yeung was fined $10,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. For a considerable distance approaching and passing the 200 Metres, SUPER SPECIAL and TOUT VA BIEN were held up and unable to obtain clear running. In the Straight, WINNING STRATEGY hung out and proved difficult to ride. For the major part of the race, GLITTERING hung out. TRUE INTELLIGENCE and GLITTERING were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of TRUE INTELLIGENCE and GLITTERING after the race did not show any significant findings. KING CREOLE and STEEL NERVES were sent for sampling.