12/10/2016  Happy Valley  Race 8

Whilst in the saddling stalls, GREAT CHARM had its left front plate refitted. GREAT CHARM was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. HAPPY CHEERS began awkwardly and shortly after the start was bumped by BLAZE STAMINA which shifted out after also beginning awkwardly. A short distance after this, BLAZE STAMINA was awkwardly placed inside the heels of GO BABY GO which was bumped by GREAT CHARM which shifted in after also being bumped by CHEVALIER STAR. From the outside barriers, FANTASTIC FEELING and LOVELY DELOVELY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1000 Metres, BLAZE STAMINA raced tight inside GREAT CHARM which got its head on the side and shifted in away from GRAND HARBOUR. At the entrance to the Straight, SUPER TURBO was shifted out across the heels of BLAZE STAMINA. SUPER TURBO had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 200 Metres. Approaching the 150 Metres, GREAT CHARM and WHO’STHEDUDE raced tight between SUPER TURBO which shifted out and SPEEDY ACHIEVER which shifted in after being bumped on the hindquarters by WHO’STHEDUDE. D Whyte (FANTASTIC FEELING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift in, resulting in WHO’STHEDUDE being hampered and taken in across the rightful running of SUPER TURBO, causing that horse to be checked when taken across the heels of GO BABY GO. D Whyte was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 30 October 2016 and to expire on Thursday, 3 November 2016 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account D Whyte’s good race riding record. Because of this incident, WHO’STHEDUDE was unable to be ridden out to the end of the race. For the majority of the race, GREAT CHARM travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of COURAGEOUS BROTHER immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, COURAGEOUS BROTHER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WHO’STHEDUDE, FANTASTIC FEELING and CHEVALIER STAR were sent for sampling.