02/03/2011  Happy Valley  Race 3

MAJESTIC HEART began awkwardly and was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, ANTIPASTO was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Making the first turn near the 2100 Metres, MAJESTIC HEART was momentarily crowded for room inside HO HO LIFE. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, ALMIGHTY WINDPOWER was steadied away from the heels of STRAWBERRY which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HEALTHY BLUEBERRY. EASTERN EMPIRE, which was following ALMIGHTY WINDPOWER, shifted away from the heels of that horse and bumped OWNERS’ GLORY. Passing the 1400 Metres, MAJESTIC HEART got its head up when proving difficult to settle. Passing the 1000 Metres, MAJESTIC HEART again proved difficult to settle when being steadied away from the heels of EASTERN EMPIRE. C K Tong (MAJESTIC HEART) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he directed his mount out and in doing so made heavy contact with OWNERS’ GLORY, causing that horse to become badly unbalanced and lose momentum. C K Tong was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 21 March 2011 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, 12 March 2011. Passing the 200 Metres, EASTERN EMPIRE raced in restricted room inside HEALTHY BLUEBERRY. Apprentice K C Leung (ANTIPASTO) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 50 Metres he permitted his mount to improve its position between ALMIGHTY WINDPOWER and HEALTHY BLUEBERRY where there was insufficient room, resulting in HEALTHY BLUEBERRY being taken across the rightful running of EASTERN EMPIRE. As a result of this, EASTERN EMPIRE was severely checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 24 March 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension shall commence on Sunday, 13 March 2011 on which day Apprentice Leung was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred in Race 2. MAJESTIC HEART and HO HO LIFE were sent for sampling.