28/04/2010  Happy Valley  Race 2

EPEE DE HUA was slow to begin. FRAMES DEPOT was slow to begin and shortly after the start was steadied away from the heels of ZERO GRAVITY which shifted out. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, DIAMOND PRINCE and WESTERN STAR raced tight inside DRAGON BOY. For some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres and again near the 1000 Metres, EPEE DE HUA got its head up on a number of occasions when proving difficult to settle. Near the 250 Metres, SUPER IDEAL shifted in to obtain a run to the inside of ZERO GRAVITY and in doing so bumped with SMART CODE, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Approaching the 200 Metres, EPEE DE HUA was steadied when held up for clear running. Near the 100 Metres, AIPODER IMAGE, which was shifting in, was steadied away from DASHING CHAMPION which at this time shifted out under pressure. Throughout the race, DRAGON BOY travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that incidents took place over the concluding stages which cast sufficient doubt on whether SMART CODE should be declared the winner and AIPODER IMAGE should be declared the 2nd placegetter. After viewing the available videos, the Stewards believed this was not an appropriate case in which they should exercise their powers under Rule 123 and accordingly weighed-in was semaphored confirming the Judge’s placings. Whilst it did not influence the decision whether the Stewards should exercise their powers under Rule 123, it was noted that neither Jockey Z Purton, the rider of the 5th placegetter, SUPER IDEAL, lodged a protest/objection against SMART CODE being declared the winner nor C K Tong, the rider of the 3rd placegetter, DASHING CHAMPION, against the 2nd placegetter, AIPODER IMAGE. M Chadwick (SMART CODE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the final 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of SUPER IDEAL, resulting in that horse being taken out over the final 100 Metres and ultimately being severely checked for room between DASHING CHAMPION and SMART CODE near the winning post. M Chadwick was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 17 May 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 Saturday, 8 May 2010. In addition, M Chadwick was fined $80,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 2 further racedays. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account the high degree of carelessness exhibited by Jockey Chadwick in this incident and the severity of the interference. SOLAR WONDER, which was following SUPER IDEAL, was severely checked away from the heels of that horse over the concluding stages and WESTERN STAR, which was following SOLAR WONDER, was also inconvenienced. Y T Cheng (AIPODER IMAGE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of DASHING CHAMPION, causing that horse to be bumped and taken in and ultimately being checked when crowded for room between AIPODER IMAGE and SMART CODE. Y T Cheng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 24 May 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 Sunday, 16 May 2010. In addition, Y T Cheng was fined $70,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 2 further racedays. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account the high degree of carelessness exhibited by Jockey Cheng in this incident and the severity of the interference. A veterinary inspection of SPEEDY TYCOON after the race did not show any significant findings. EPEE DE HUA, SMART CODE and AIPODER IMAGE were sent for sampling.