23/02/2014  Shatin  Race 9

SECRET AGENT and MASQUERADER bumped at the start. As the start was effected, AGIAAL lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently lost ground. From wide barriers, BUDDY BUDDIES and ONGOING VOLATILITY were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, from the outside barrier, HORSE APLENTY failed to muster speed and consequently raced back in the field. Near the 1400 Metres, EXPEDITE (K C Leung) and PERFECT JOY bumped, causing both horses to become unbalanced. K C Leung stated that when this happened, his saddle shifted to the left side, resulting in EXPEDITE running very wide as he attempted to correct the saddle. He said on entering the Back Straight he allowed EXPEDITE to improve its position and he was able to shift the horse in to race outside the leader MASQUERADER near the 800 Metres. He said however that he was placed at a disadvantage in the riding of EXPEDITE for the remainder of the race. Making the turn near the 700 Metres, AGIAAL shifted in and bumped the running rail. H W Lai (OLE OLE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 600 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of BUDDY BUDDIES, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 24 March 2014 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 12 March 2014. Close the finishing line, SMILING WATCH was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MASQUERADER. For the majority of the race, PERFECT JOY and GOOD CHOICE travelled wide and without cover. The performance of WIN CHANCE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, WIN CHANCE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of EXPEDITE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. OLE OLE and GOLDEN ADDICTION were sent for sampling.