14/10/2009  Happy Valley  Race 7

Shortly after the start, KENOBE, which was being steadied to shift across behind runners, was badly checked when crowded for room between ANTIPASTO and DASHING THUNDER which shifted out after being bumped by STRIKING MASCOT. Also shortly after the start, ROYAL PEGASUS shifted in and bumped WEI HAI INVINCIBLE which in turn bumped VISIONARIO. In the early stages, STRIKING MASCOT raced wide and without cover and near the 1100 Metres was allowed to stride forward. Approaching the 1300 Metres, VANQUISH DELIGHT became unbalanced when checked away from the heels of WEI HAI INVINCIBLE which itself was being steadied away from the heels of ROYAL PEGASUS. VANQUISH DELIGHT proved difficult to settle for some distance after this and passing the 1200 Metes was shifted out away from the heels of WEI HAI INVINCIBLE. Passing the 1100 Metes, VANQUISH DELIGHT shifted out abruptly after being brushed by WEI HAI INVINCIBLE. LASKER, which was racing to the outside of VANQUISH DELIGHT, was bumped heavily and carried wider. After this, LASKER travelled wide and without cover. Near the 150 Metres, ROYAL PEGASUS, which was weakening, was briefly crowded for room inside DASHING THUNDER which shifted in slightly. When questioned, Apprentice T H So (WEI HAI INVINCIBLE) stated that as the horse was considered suspect at the 1800 Metres of tonight’s race, he was instructed to obtain cover behind the leader which was anticipated to be ROYAL PEGASUS. He said accordingly passing the winning post on the first occasion, he took hold of his mount to allow ROYAL PEGASUS to cross. He said however after obtaining cover behind that horse, WEI HAI INVINCIBLE was reluctant to settle and raced fiercely for some distance thereafter. A veterinary inspection of WEI HAI INVINCIBLE, ROYAL PEGASUS and VISIONARIO after the race did not show any significant findings. FLORAL NIRVANA, FAT DRAGON and DASHING THUNDER were sent for sampling. The Stewards will interview M W Leung, the rider of ROYAL PEGASUS, and Trainer A S Cruz regarding the poor performance of the horse in tonight’s race. In the meantime, no entries will be permitted to be accepted for ROYAL PEGASUS. Adjourned Inquiry - 14 October 2009 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 7 (91)     The Stewards today interviewed Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of ROYAL PEGASUS, and M W Leung, the rider of the horse, regarding the disappointing performance of ROYAL PEGASUS in this race. M W Leung stated that after being able to obtain the lead comfortably in the early stags, ROYAL PEGASUS travelled well until near the 1000 Metres at which time STRIKING MASCOT improved to be racing to its outside. He said when this happened, ROYAL PEGASUS did not relax and because of this the horse was not able to close off the race. Mr Cruz agreed that the reason for ROYAL PEGASUS not being able to finish off the race was that it had failed to relax after STRIKING MASCOT improved to the horse’s outside. In all the circumstances, the performance of ROYAL PEGASUS, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, ROYAL PEGASUS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.