15/04/2012  Happy Valley  Race 8

J Lloyd (CARTOON FAY FAY) was fined $2,000 for initially weighing out without a girth and a surcingle. VIVA FREEDOM got its head up at the start and began awkwardly. After this, VIVA FREEDOM was taken across behind runners. After the 1200 Metres, FUN RIDER got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of AOMEN which itself was racing close to the heels of CARTOON FAY FAY. For some distance after this, AOMEN continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of CARTOON FAY FAY and shifted out momentarily away from the heels of that horse. When AOMEN shifted out, FUN RIDER, which was continuing to prove difficult to settle, improved to be racing to the inside of AOMEN where there was tight running. AOMEN (M L Yeung) then shifted in slightly, resulting in FUN RIDER being taken in across the running of VIVA FREEDOM which as a result was severely checked. GREAT RENOWN, which was racing outside of VIVA FREEDOM, was hampered in consequence. M L Yeung was advised that whilst there were a number of circumstances associated with this incident, in particular the tempo of the race and the manner in which AOMEN and FUN RIDER were racing at that time, nonetheless after shifting out, he should have been more alert to the fact that horses had improved to his inside prior to shifting back in. M L Yeung was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in future. Near the 900 Metres, FUN RIDER, which was continuing to over-race, shifted in away from the heels of AOMEN which was also proving difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CARTOON FAY FAY. When FUN RIDER shifted in, VIVA FREEDOM, which was racing to its inside, was again checked. Near the 400 Metres, VIVA FREEDOM was checked away from the heels of ELEGANCE KLAMMER. Near the 150 Metres, OTTIMO shifted out under pressure and bumped ELEGANCE KLAMMER. Approaching the 100 Metres, HAPPY SEVEN, which was giving ground, was steadied when crowded for room between ELEGANCE KLAMMER which shifted out slightly and AOMEN which shifted in away from the heels of CARTOON FAY FAY which itself shifted in when awkwardly placed inside the heels of FUN RIDER. No action was taken. Over the concluding stages, ELEGANCE KLAMMER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NOBLE DELUXE. Because of this, ELEGANCE KLAMMER was not able to be properly tested. When questioned regarding his riding of AOMEN passing the 500 Metres, M L Yeung stated that at this time his mount shifted out momentarily when awkwardly placed close to the heels of CARTOON FAY FAY. He said having in mind that AOMEN had over-raced in the early and middle stages, he was reluctant to shift to the outside of CARTOON FAY FAY at this time as he wished to retain cover for as long as possible so as to allow AOMEN to finish off the race. He said for this reason he shifted AOMEN back in to remain racing behind CARTOON FAY FAY. He said as he did this FUN RIDER improved its position quickly to his outside. He said when he became aware that FUN RIDER was improving its position around AOMEN, he attempted to shift to the outside of CARTOON FAY FAY, however, FUN RIDER had momentum and prevented him from being able to shift out from behind CARTOON FAY FAY. He added when he attempted to shift out, FUN RIDER and AOMEN bumped. He said after this AOMEN was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn. M L Yeung conceded that in retrospect he had erred in not shifting AOMEN to the outside of CARTOON FAY FAY which allowed FUN RIDER, the eventual winner, the opportunity to improve around him at this time. M L Yeung was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he had failed to exercise the appropriate level of judgement expected of a jockey in the prevailing circumstances. He was further advised to ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so as to give them every opportunity to obtain clear running. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that FUN RIDER had lost its left front and right hind plates and that it had sustained an abrasion wound to the right hind cannon. A veterinary inspection of VIVA FREEDOM after the race did not show any significant findings. ELEGANCE KLAMMER, FUN RIDER and JUMBO GOLD were sent for sampling.