07/04/2010  Happy Valley  Race 6

Shortly after the start, ELEGANCE FORTUNE and PACKING POWER were crowded for room between ROYAL DOCTOR and POT OF GOLD, both of which shifted ground. Approaching the 800 Metres, SOLDIER, which improved to be racing to the inside of ELEGANCE FORTUNE, was steadied when crowded for room inside that horse which itself was awkwardly placed inside the heels of GLENEALY STAR which shifted in when barely clear. Rounding the turn near the 600 Metres, SOLDIER shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of VICTORY STYLE when awkwardly placed close to the heels of ELEGANCE FORTUNE. VICTORY STYLE then became unbalanced and shifted out, resulting in SOLDIER being crowded for room inside ROYAL DOCTOR which itself became unbalanced when bumped by SOLDIER. Apprentice M L Yeung (BROTHERS IN ARMS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that rounding the Home Turn he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of TOP NEWS, resulting in that horse being severely checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. VICTORY STYLE, ELEGANCE FORTUNE, ROYAL DOCTOR, SOLDIER and SUPER GOAL MASTER were all hampered in consequence. Apprentice Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 29 April 2010 on which day he may resume race riding (4 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting this Saturday, 10 April 2010. Near the 100 Metres, SOLDIER was steadied away from the heels of BROTHERS IN ARMS and shifted out. Over the concluding stages, ELEGANCE FORTUNE, which was hanging in, raced in restricted room between GLENEALY STAR and ROYAL DOCTOR which shifted in away from the heels of PACKING POWER which also got its head on the side and shifted in. Because of this, ELEGANCE FORTUNE was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. When questioned, M Chadwick (POT OF GOLD) stated that he had been instructed if POT OF GOLD was able to go forward without being made use of and was able to lead, he should allow the horse to do so, however, if horses to his inside were ridden along to go forward, he should attempt to obtain a position with cover. He said POT OF GOLD began only fairly, he immediately observed GILDED FLIGHT to his inside being vigorously ridden to obtain a forward position, he formed the view that he would have had to make too much use of POT OF GOLD to take up a forward position, therefore he elected to obtain a position with cover behind runners. He said making the first turn when wide on the track, runners to his inside improved their positions which resulted in POT OF GOLD racing wide and further back in the field than had been anticipated. A veterinary inspection of SOLDIER after the race did not show any significant findings. PACKING POWER and WEI HAI INVINCIBLE were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that WEI HAI INVINCIBLE was lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, WEI HAI INVINCIBLE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.