19/04/2009  Happy Valley  Race 9

COUNTRY MAGIC began awkwardly. STRAWBERRY was slow into stride. After entering the Back Straight, FORTUNE HAVEN, which had been racing wide and without cover, was ridden along to go forward and cross to the lead. At the 700 Metres, DEFERENTIAL and CHATER SILK, which were proving difficult to settle, raced tight when awkwardly placed between STRAWBERRY and FLUKE. As a consequence, DEFERENTIAL lost ground. D Whyte (CHATER SILK) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that on straightening he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of DEFERENTIAL, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and be checked. D Whyte was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 7 May 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 Friday 1 May 2009. At the 100 Metres, COUNTRY MAGIC was steadied away from the heels of HIGH INTELLIGENT. When questioned regarding his riding of BILLION, Y T Cheng said he was instructed to ride his mount in 4th or 5th position with cover if possible as it was anticipated the race would be run at a strong tempo. He said BILLION began well, he initially rode along, then at about the 1500 Metres he commenced to steady his mount to allow JUGGERNAUT which was racing to his inside to go forward and cross to the lead. He said as he did this, he endeavoured to obtain a position with cover, however, HIGH INTELLIGENT and COUNTRY MAGIC were ridden along to hold their positions on his inside. He said as a consequence BILLION travelled wide and without cover throughout the race and after straightening gave ground. Y T Cheng was told in the opinion of the Stewards his ride on BILLION was not one of his better ones and whilst he should at all times be mindful of the riding instructions issued to him, if circumstances of a race require him to exercise initiative, he should do so. When questioned regarding the poor performance of JUGGERNAUT, E Saint-Martin said he was able to go forward and lead as instructed in the early stages. He said JUGGERNAUT did not relax for him in the same manner which it did when it was successful at its most recent race start. He said after the 800 Metres FORTUNE HAVEN improved around his outside, however, he did not have enough pace to cross to the rail. He said when this occurred, he continued to have difficulty getting JUGGERNAUT to relax. He said in his opinion the quicker tempo of today’s race which was due to the manner in which JUGGERNAUT raced contributed to the horse’s poor performance. BILLION and JUGGERNAUT were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of BILLION and JUGGERNAUT after the race did not show any significant findings. FORTUNE HAVEN, MY HOME TOWN and FLUKE were sent for sampling.