27/01/2010  Happy Valley  Race 7

As the start was effected, MEGABUCKS reared and as a consequence lost ground. After this, MEGABUCKS travelled wide and without cover. K-JACK began awkwardly. D Whyte (TAI SING YEH) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 600 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of EL ZONDA, resulting in that horse being checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. D Whyte was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 25 February 2010 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 Tuesday 16 February 2010. For some distance passing the 600 Metres, K-JACK was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GREAT RENOWN. Then near the 400 Metres, K-JACK was checked away from the heels of GREAT RENOWN. Passing the 150 Metres, K-JACK was steadied away from the heels of PLAN B. Near the 100 Metres, SHY BALDY was steadied away from the heels of HOLEY DOLLAR when taken in slightly by TAI SING YEH. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident took place near the 50 Metres which cast doubt on whether TOWKAY FLYER (W C Marwing) should be declared as the second placegetter. They decided that there was justification to have the matter resolved formally at a protest/objection hearing. After taking evidence from W C Marwing and D Whyte, the rider of 4th placegetter, TAI SING YEH, and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that approaching the 100 Metres TAI SING YEH, which was finishing off the race strongly, established running to the inside of TOWKAY FLYER, however, shortly after the 100 Metres TAI SING YEH was steadied and shifted in away from the heels of TOWKAY FLYER which shifted in. As a result of the shift in from TOWKAY FLYER, TAI SING YEH was taken in onto the hindquarters of HOLEY DOLLAR and made contact with that horse. Having in mind the manner in which TAI SING YEH was finishing off the race prior to the incident and then continued to make ground in the run to the line despite being crowded and the margin between TOWKAY FLYER and TAI SING YEH at the end of the race, the Stewards were of the opinion that had the interference not occurred that TAI SING YEH would have finished in front of TOWKAY FLYER. Accordingly, the protest/objection was sustained and the placings amended to read No. 9, EL ZONDA, 1st; No. 3, UNION’S STAR, 2nd; No. 5, TAI SING YEH, 3rd; and No. 8, TOWKAY FLYER, 4th. Subsequently W C Marwing was advised to make more effort in similar circumstances to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. At a subsequent inquiry, D Whyte was fined a sum of $5,000 for failing to lodge a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of TAI SING YEH. When questioned, J Victoire stated that PLAN B travelled satisfactorily for him and approaching the Home Turn he believed that PLAN B was travelling well enough to win the race. He said however when placed under pressure on the Home Turn, PLAN B could not sprint and then was disappointing in its failure to respond to his riding thereafter. A veterinary inspection of PLAN B after the race did not show any significant findings. TAI SING YEH, EL ZONDA and UNION’S STAR were sent for sampling.