13/05/2009  Happy Valley  Race 7

JOLLY GOOD FORTUNE was withdrawn on 12.5.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right front) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter ZEZAO (Y T Cheng). BONDI LAD was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left fore capped elbow). Before being allowed to race again, JOLLY GOOD FORTUNE and BONDI LAD will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After arriving at the Start, it was noted MACHO EXPRESSO had lost its left front plate. MACHO EXPRESSO was replated and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. While MACHO EXPRESSO was being replated, it was noted THUNDER FLASH had also lost its right front plate during the preliminary. THUNDER FLASH was replated and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. ZEZAO and PERFECT STYLE were slow to begin. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, MACHO EXPRESSO failed to muster speed. In the early stages, PERFECT STYLE proved difficult to settle and throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, ZEZAO was crowded for room and steadied away from the heels of MACHO EXPRESSO (K T Yeung) which at this time was being steadied and taken back to a position with cover. When ZEZAO was crowded for room, it bumped STAR OF FAME, causing that horse to become unbalanced and shift out when not clear of ZEZAO. As a consequence, ZEZAO was carried wider, clipped the heels of MACHO EXPRESSO, blundered and was checked severely. In all the circumstances, it was considered appropriate that K T Yeung be severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care when shifting ground. For a considerable distance after straightening, EL ZONDA hung in and proved difficult to shift to the outside of WIN A DOZEN into clear running. O Doleuze (TEAM WORK) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of EL ZONDA, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and be checked. O Doleuze was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 28 May 2009 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 next Sunday 17 May 2009. In addition, O Doleuze was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. Over about the final 100 Metres, LUCKY WINNER was not able to obtain clear running and therefore was not fully tested. After the 100 Metres, W C Marwing was struck over the right hand by the whip of K T Yeung. Close to the line, MACHO EXPRESSO was awkwardly placed close to the heels of STAR OF FAME. Because of this, MACHO EXPRESSO was not ridden out fully right to the end of the race. TEAM WORK and STAR OF FAME were sent for sampling.