30/11/2011  Happy Valley  Race 3

Shortly after the start, FUN AND FAST was steadied away from the heels of SOLDIER when that horse was taken out by DANEWIN TIGER. From wide barriers, SHAREMA FEELING, MAKE IT and DILIGENT III were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the 1000 Metres, RIDE ON THE FIRE, which was proving difficult to settle, was steadied away from the heels of BRILLIANT ONE. Then approaching the 800 Metres, RIDE ON THE FIRE became badly unbalanced when continuing to over-race and being checked away from the heels of BRILLIANT ONE. Near the 800 Metres, NOBLE DE BEST was taken wider by DANEWIN TIGER which shifted out away from the heels of GLORY HORSIE which itself shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOLD WINNER when that horse was shifted away from the fence to position to the outside of SUNSHINE KID after being difficult to settle and being awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUNSHINE KID. After this, NOBLE DE BEST travelled wide and without cover. SOLDIER travelled wide and without cover until near the 600 Metres. After the 600 Metres, RIDE ON THE FIRE got its head up when continuing to be steadied away from the heels of BRILLIANT ONE. GLORY HORSIE raced in restricted room inside SUNSHINE KID from shortly after entering into the Straight until near the 100 Metres. After the 300 Metres, MAKE IT raced in restricted room between FUN AND FAST and DANEWIN TIGER which was taken out slightly by SOLDIER. After the 200 Metres, GOLD WINNER got its head on the side and hung in and after the 100 Metres was bumped by SUNSHINE KID which shifted out. Over the concluding stages, MAKE IT got its head on the side and hung in. W M Lai (BRILLIANT ONE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift out, resulting in NOBLE DE BEST being severely checked and in turn taken out onto SOLDIER which was racing to that horse’s outside and which also had to be severely checked. W M Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 22 December 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension shall commence on Monday, 12 December 2011 on which day W M Lai was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred at the Sha Tin racemeeting last Sunday, 27 November 2011. In addition, W M Lai was fined $15,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. Close to the finishing line, FUN AND FAST raced tight outside MAKE IT. Just prior to the finishing line, W M Lai stopped riding BRILLIANT ONE when obliged to correct his mount after it shifted ground out over the concluding stages. When questioned, N Callan said that, from barrier 9, he had been instructed to ride RIDE ON THE FIRE more quietly tonight than had previously been the case. He said it was explained to him that RIDE ON THE FIRE had had to be used up in the early stages to obtain forward positions and had then not been able to close off as strongly as had been hoped. He said for this reason he ensured that RIDE ON THE FIRE would not begin positively, however, in doing this, the horse bounded in the air at the start, began very awkwardly and lost ground. He said after this he attempted to steady RIDE ON THE FIRE in about a midfield position, however, the horse proved difficult to settle at various times during the race. He added in the Straight RIDE ON THE FIRE did not close off the race, however, he attributed this to the fact that the horse had not settled during the race. GLORY HORSIE and GOLD WINNER were sent for sampling.