19/05/2010  Happy Valley  Race 6

From the outside barrier, HAPPY TUMBLER was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, ROYAL KNIGHT got its head up when crowded for room inside LOCAL POWER (C W Wong) which shifted in when not properly clear. C W Wong was reprimanded and advised to ensure he is sufficiently clear in future. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, VILASOL was steadied when racing tight between HEADSIWIN and ROYAL KNIGHT. In the early stages, FORTUNE HAVEN was caught wide and without cover and after the 1200 Metres was allowed to stride forward to obtain a position closer to the rail. Passing the 900 Metres, MOON CHASER proved difficult to settle. For some distance passing the 550 Metres, MOON CHASER was checked away from the heels of GALAXY TREASURE which at this time commenced to give ground. In this incident, MOON CHASER shifted in slightly, resulting in FLUKE being crowded for room. VILASOL, which was following MOON CHASER, was steadied in consequence. Rounding the Home Turn, HAPPY TUMBLER was steadied away from the heels of LOCAL POWER. Passing the 200 Metres, MOON CHASER shifted out and bumped HAPPY TUMBLER. Near the 100 Metres, MOON CHASER was checked away from the heels of GILDED FLIGHT when disappointed for running between that horse and HAPPY TUMBLER. VILASOL had difficulty obtaining clear running over the final 50 Metres and because of this was not tested over the concluding stages. Over the concluding stages, FLUKE was steadied away from the heels of GILDED FLIGHT. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred over the concluding stages which cast sufficient doubt on whether ROYAL KNIGHT (O Doleuze) should be declared the winner of the race. Subsequently H W Lai, the rider of the 3rd placegetter, GILDED FLIGHT, lodged protests/objections against HAPPY TUMBLER, the 2nd placed horse, and ROYAL KNIGHT, being placed 1st, alleging interference over the final 50 Metres. M Du Plessis, the rider of HAPPY TUMBLER, also lodged a protest/objection against ROYAL KNIGHT being declared the winner alleging interference over the final 50 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the official videos, the Stewards found that after passing the 100 Metres ROYAL KNIGHT shifted in, resulting in HAPPY TUMBLER, which had established running to the inside of that horse, being crowded onto GILDED FLIGHT, causing both HAPPY TUMBLER and GILDED FLIGHT to become badly unbalanced. In this incident, H W Lai dropped his whip. Having in mind the official margin of a nose between the 1st and the 2nd and a short head between the 2nd and the 3rd, the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that had the interference which quite clearly took place not occurred, HAPPY TUMBLER would have finished 1st and GILDED FLIGHT would have finished 2nd. The Stewards sustained the protest/objection of H W Lai against ROYAL KNIGHT but overruled the protest/objection against HAPPY TUMBLER. The Stewards also sustained the protest/objection lodged by M Du Plessis against ROYAL KNIGHT. Accordingly, the placings were amended to read No. 4, HAPPY TUMBLER, 1st; No. 8, GILDED FLIGHT, 2nd; No. 7, ROYAL KNIGHT, 3rd; and No. 1, FLUKE, 4th. At a subsequent inquiry, O Doleuze was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that inside the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HAPPY TUMBLER, causing that horse to be badly crowded for room and in turn to be taken in onto GILDED FLIGHT which became badly unbalanced. O Doleuze was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 21 June 2010 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension shall commence on Sunday, 13 June 2010 on which day O Doleuze was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred in Race 3 tonight. In addition, O Doleuze was fined $30,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. A veterinary inspection of LOCAL POWER after the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY TUMBLER and GILDED FLIGHT were sent for sampling.