22/03/2017  Happy Valley  Race 8

ENORMOUS HONOUR and NITRO EXPRESS bumped at the start. After this, ENORMOUS HONOUR was hard ridden, however, failed to muster speed. UNICORN and ELECTRONIC PHOENIX were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 1200 Metres, FANTASTIC KAKA was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAND HARBOUR. WISKY, which was following, was awkwardly placed behind FANTASTIC KAKA in consequence. After the 1000 Metres, LITTLE ISLAND was taken into a positon wide and without cover by ISTANBUL BEY which shifted out. LITTLE ISLAND then commenced to prove difficult to settle despite the efforts of its rider and was consequently allowed to improve its position. C Y Ho (ISTANBUL BEY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 800 Metres he directed his mount out away from the heels of MAGICAL BEAUTY and made heavy contact with UNICORN, causing that horse to become unbalanced and be severely hampered when taken wider. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 5 April 2017 and to expire on Monday, 10 April 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Ho's good race riding record. Passing the 700 Metres, UNICORN was taken wider by ISTANBUL BEY which shifted to the outside of LITTLE ISLAND. After this, UNICORN was steadied and shifted back in to regain cover. Passing the 400 Metres, WISKY and FANTASTIC KAKA raced tight as WISKY improved into tight running between FANTASTIC KAKA and GRAND HARBOUR which was giving ground. Rounding the Home Turn, UNICORN raced tight between MAGICAL BEAUTY and ISTANBUL BEY and at the entrance to the Straight was shifted to the outside of ISTANBUL BEY to obtain clear running. Passing the 400 Metres, NITRO EXPRESS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WISKY. After passing the 50 Metres, ELECTRONIC PHOENIX was struck across the nose by the whip of N Rawiller (UNICORN). S Clipperton (LAND GRANT) stated that prior to the Home Turn he improved to be racing to the outside of the eventual winner LITTLE DRAGON and he anticipated that LAND GRANT would close off the race strongly as it was travelling well at this time. He said however after straightening LAND GRANT commenced to race with its head on the side and hang in badly and at the same time was not finishing off the race as strongly as he thought it would. He said despite his efforts to have LAND GRANT remain racing to the outside of LITTLE DRAGON, LAND GRANT continued to hang in badly and he was unable to prevent the horse from shifting in from behind LITTLE DRAGON. He said he was also not able to continue to shift to the inside of that horse as WISKY had improved to be racing to the inside of LAND GRANT. He added as a result of him not being able to shift LAND GRANT to the outside of LITTLE DRAGON, LAND GRANT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse for the final 100 Metres of the race and as a consequence he was not able to test the horse properly and then over the concluding stages was not able to ride it out. After reviewing the videos, the Stewards accepted Jockey Clipperton's explanation. UNICORN lost its left front plate after the race. The Stewards will interview K C Leung regarding the disappointing performance of GRAND HARBOUR, a last start winner, prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting to be conducted on Sunday, 26 March 2017. A veterinary inspection of GRAND HARBOUR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WISKY, LITTLE DRAGON and FANTASTIC KAKA were sent for sampling. <26/3/2017 22 March 2017 Happy Valley Racemeeting – Race 8 (516) >The Stewards today interviewed K C Leung regarding the performance of GRAND HARBOUR in this race. K C Leung stated that in accordance with his instructions, he was able to obtain the lead in the early stages without having to make too much use of GRAND HARBOUR. He said however that after crossing FANTASTIC KAKA passing the 1300 Metres, GRAND HARBOUR commenced to race keenly and would not relax. He said it was not until after the 1000 Metres that GRAND HARBOUR commenced to travel more generously. He said passing the 600 Metres LITTLE DRAGON improved to be racing directly to the outside of GRAND HARBOUR and GRAND HARBOUR initially responded well, however, when LITTLE DRAGON was able to advance forward of GRAND HARBOUR after the 600 Metres, GRAND HARBOUR immediately came under pressure and did not respond to his riding. He added at the 400 Metres GRAND HARBOUR was already under heavy pressure and was a beaten horse from this point onwards.