02/12/2009  Happy Valley  Race 4

At the start, MAGIC PRACTITIONER was crowded for room between SAMMY’S FORTUNE which shifted out and KINGSTON TEMPLE which shifted in after beginning awkwardly. SUPER IDEAL was slow to begin. Near the 1100 Metres, SUPER IDEAL was steadied away from the heels of ENERGETIC BOY which was taken in by LIGHTNING MOUNT (J Victoire). J Victoire was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides horses to his inside with sufficient racing room in future. Apprentice M L Yeung (GRANDFIELD) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that rounding the Home Turn he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of LIGHTNING MOUNT, resulting in that horse being checked when crowded for room to the outside of GRANDFIELD and inside KINGSTON TEMPLE. Apprentice Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 14 December 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 Sunday 6 December 2009. Near the 400 Metres, DECENT FELLOW, which was endeavouring to obtain a tight run between SUPER IDEAL (Apprentice T H So) and TRAVEL LEADER, was checked when crowded for room between TRAVEL LEADER which got its head on the side and shifted in slightly and SUPER IDEAL which shifted out to improve. Apprentice So was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. From on straightening until near the 150 Metres, FORTUNE DRAGON was unable to obtain clear running. Then, passing the 100 Metres, FORTUNE DRAGON was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VITALITY CHAMP. For this reason, FORTUNE DRAGON was not able to be properly tested over the concluding stages. Near the 300 Metres, ENERGETIC BOY was steadied away from the heels of FORTUNE DRAGON and shifted to the outside of that horse. Over the final 50 Metres, ENERGETIC BOY raced in restricted room between GRANDFIELD and SAMMY’S FORTUNE which itself raced tight inside SUPER IDEAL. When questioned, G Mossé (FORTUNE DRAGON) stated that in the early stages he had been following NATURAL ECHO. He said approaching the 800 Metres that horse, which was over-racing and being checked away from the heels of MAGIC PRACTITIONER, shifted out into a one-off position. He added that he considered improving his position to race to that horse’s inside, but he was aware that GRANDFIELD was racing to the outside of NATURAL ECHO and felt that NATURAL ECHO would be taken back in onto the fence which would result in FORTUNE DRAGON striking interference. He said, for this reason, he elected to remain racing behind that horse and, as he anticipated, NATURAL ECHO shifted back to the fence near the 650 Metres. KINGSTON TEMPLE and LIGHTNING MOUNT were sent for sampling.