01/11/2009  Happy Valley  Race 9

KUNG FU, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 31.10.09 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, KUNG FU will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BEAR MACHO was slow to begin. HOLEY DOLLAR shifted out at the start and bumped SUPERIOR UNIT, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Shortly after the start, BEAUTIFUL DREAMER was steadied away from the heels of ULTRA FANTASY which shifted out. Near the 1000 Metres, FOREVER ELATION raced tight inside HOLI RAVIOLI which itself raced tight inside the heels of HOLEY DOLLAR (D Beadman). D Beadman was advised to ensure he leaves sufficient racing room for his fellow riders in similar circumstances. C K Tong (ULTRA FANTASY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of SUPERIOR UNIT. As a result, SUPERIOR UNIT struck the heels of ULTRA FANTASY, dipped and was checked. C K Tong was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 19 November 2009 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday 11 November 2009. In addition, C K Tong was fined $15,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. Approaching the 600 Metres, TIGER PRAWN raced tight inside FOREVER ELATION which shifted in slightly when being steadied away from the heels of HOLEY DOLLAR. Passing the 600 Metres, OCEAN WIDE got its head up when being checked away from the heels of ULTRA FANTASY which was steadied when momentarily crowded for room inside OUR LUCKY BABY which got its head on the side and shifted in. After the 600 Metres, SUPERIOR UNIT was left racing wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HOLEY DOLLAR, D Beadman stated that the horse was unusually quiet prior to the race today and, in his opinion, was quite lethargic. He said after bumping with SUPERIOR UNIT after the start, HOLEY DOLLAR took some time to muster pace as compared to its last start when the horse was quite keen throughout. He said HOLEY DOLLAR travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages, he commenced to ride the horse along to follow OUR LUCKY BABY approaching the 400 Meters but soon became concerned when HOLEY DOLLAR did not travel as he thought it should. He said he placed HOLEY DOLLAR under pressure in the early part of the Straight including the use of the whip on the horse, however, it gave ground when being ridden in this fashion. He said due to the manner in which HOLEY DOLLAR was giving ground, he did not ride the horse out over the final 200 Metres as he was concerned with the horse’s action in front. He said after the finish HOLEY DOLLAR pulled up very quickly which was unlike at its most recent stat when the horse took some time to pull up. The Stewards will speak with Trainer J Moore prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Wednesday 4 November 209 regarding the performance of HOLEY DOLLAR. In the meantime, no entries will be permitted to be accepted for HOLEY DOLLAR. A veterinary inspection of SUPERIOR UNIT and HOLEY DOLLAR after the race did not show any significant findings. HOLEY DOLLAR, OUR LUCKY BABY and ULTRA FANTASY were sent for sampling.