01/04/2009  Happy Valley  Race 3

On jumping, GOOD TIME CHARLIE bounded in the air and lost ground. FORTUNE WARRIOR and BOBO WIN were slow to begin. GOOD TIME CHARLIE made the turns at the 1000 Metres and 600 Metres awkwardly. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of an opinion that an incident occurred at about the 50 Metres which cast doubt on whether PRIMIATA (Apprentice M L Yeung) ought to be declared the second placegetter. J Winks, the rider of JOYFUL YEARS, dead heat third placegetter, also lodged a protest/objection against PRIMIATA being declared the second placegetter alleging interference inside the final 50 Metres. The evidence disclosed that inside the final 50 Metres PRIMIATA shifted in when not clear of JOYFUL YEARS, causing that horse to be crowded for room and carried in across the rightful running of HOT SUN which as a result was checked. Having in mind the head margin between PRIMIATA and JOYFUL YEARS at the finish of the race, the manner in which both horses closed the race off and the proximity of the incident in relation to the finishing line, the Stewards could not be satisfied that had the interference which did take place not occurred that JOYFUL YEARS would have finished in front of PRIMIATA, therefore the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, Apprentice Yeung pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)]. Apprentice Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 23 April 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the racemeeting next Wednesday 8 April 2009. In the Straight, FORTUNE WARRIOR hung in. Throughout the race, KING OF FISH travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, H W Lai (AMAZING ME) explained he was aware he had the opportunity after the 800 Metres of improving his position in the three wide line to follow BOBO WIN, however, he elected not to do so in an attempt to save ground on his mount which was today carrying a large weight. He added in the Home Straight AMAZING ME closed the race off only fairly. H W Lai was told his explanation would be reported. AMAZING ME and SIMPLY JOY were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING ME and SIMPLY JOY after the race did not show any significant findings. GOOD TIME CHARLIE, BOBO WIN and PRIMIATA were sent for sampling.