06/05/2009  Happy Valley  Race 4

SUPER SURPRISE was slow to begin. IMPLIED VOLATILITY and FANTASTIC DANCER were slow into stride. After entering the Back Straight, MAVERICK, which had been racing wide and without cover, was allowed to stride forward. Making the Home Turn, VISIONARIO was held up and unable to improve. In the Straight, MAVERICK got its head on the side, hung in and near the 200 Metres the whip of Apprentice M Chadwick which was being changed into the right hand became entangled in the reins. As a consequence, Apprentice Chadwick dropped the right rein which he did not re-gather for the remainder of the race. B Doyle (STAR OF CHIU TON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 1600 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of VISIONARIO, causing that horse to be carried in across the rightful running of FANTASTIC DANCER which as a result was checked. B Doyle was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 18 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 next Saturday 9 May 2009. In addition, B Doyle was fined $15,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. H W Lai (SWEET BABY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of SUPER SURPRISE, causing that horse to be crowded for room, lose its rightful running and blunder. EVERGREEN was steadied in consequence. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 25 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 Sunday 17 May 2009. In addition, H W Lai was fined $30,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. When questioned regarding the poor performance of EVERGREEN, W M Lai said he had to make use of his mount in the early stages of the race to maintain his position because the tempo of the early stages was stronger tonight than when the horse was successful at its most recent race start. He said as a result of him having to make use of EVERGREEN in the early stages, the horse failed to finish the race off. VISIONARIO, FORTUNE WARRIOR and FANTASTIC DANCER were sent for sampling.