22/12/2016  Happy Valley  Race 7

From a wide barrier, LAMAROSA was steadied and shifted across behind runners soon after the start. I’M A WITNESS raced wide and without cover until the 700 Metres. Passing the 700 Metres, I’M A WITNESS (K C Ng) shifted in, resulting in EXTREMELY FUN and HAPPY YEAH YEAH being placed in restricted room. HAPPY YEAH YEAH then continued to race in restricted room inside EXTREMELY FUN which, when also remained racing tight inside I’M A WITNESS, which got its head on the side at the 600 Metres and shifted in further, resulting in HAPPY YEAH YEAH having to be steadied. K C Ng was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside in future. GREEN CARD, which was following HAPPY YEAH YEAH, was hampered in consequence. Over the final 200 Metres, CHARITY GLORY hung in under pressure and proved difficult to ride. Approaching the 100 Metres, SHARP HUNTER shifted out slightly under pressure and raced tight against LAMAROSA. Then over the concluding stages, LAMAROSA shifted in under pressure and made contact with SHARP HUNTER just prior to the winning post. I’M A WITNESS, which was racing to the inside of the heels of SHARP HUNTER, was inconvenienced in consequence. Apprentice K K Chiong (WONDERFUL JOURNEY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the final 50 Metres she permitted her mount to shift in whilst being ridden with the whip when not sufficiently clear of THOR THE GREATEST, resulting in that horse being hampered and taken in across the rightful running of GREEN CARD which was checked. Apprentice Chiong was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 14 January 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 19 January 2017 on which day she may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Apprentice Chiong was fined $10,000. GREEN CARD, WONDERFUL JOURNEY and LAMAROSA were sent for sampling.