15/11/2017  Happy Valley  Race 7

PHOTON WILLIE and LOTUS BREEZE bumped at the start. DR WIN WIN shifted out at the start and hampered SUPER FORM. In this incident, DR WIN WIN became unbalanced after making contact with SUPER FORM. From a wide barrier, SUPER FORM was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from wide barriers, CHATER LEGEND and KING’S MAN were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, GOLDEN SLEEP was momentarily steadied away from the heels of TOP LAURELS (N Callan) which shifted in when not quite clear. N Callan was advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground. W M Lai (GOLDEN SLEEP) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of PHOTON WILLIE, causing that horse to be taken in onto VICTORY BOYS which was checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. W M Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 26 November 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 30 November 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, W M Lai was fined $5,000. In this incident, VICTORY BOYS shifted out and bumped GOLD LAND which was hampered. CHATER LEGEND, which was following VICTORY BOYS, was also checked. CHATER LEGEND was unable to obtain clear running over the final 100 Metres and consequently was not able to be tested. Approaching the 50 Metres, GOLD LAND was awkwardly placed outside the heels of DR WIN WIN. Approaching the finishing line, GOLD LAND, GOLDEN SLEEP and PRETTY BAUHINIA all raced tight between DR WIN WIN and SUPER FORM, both of which shifted a minimal amount of ground. Then passing the winning post, SUPER FORM (U Rispoli) shifted in, causing further crowding to PRETTY BAUHINIA, GOLDEN SLEEP and GOLD LAND. U Rispoli was advised that he must ensure that he makes every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground at all times. For the majority of the race, PRETTY BAUHINIA travelled wide and without cover. N Callan was warned against the practice of raising his whip arm above the height of his shoulder. When questioned, Apprentice M F Poon (VICTORY BOYS) stated that shortly after entering the Straight he rode his mount along to improve into a run that was available between RED MARVEL and LOTUS BREEZE. He said as he was improving towards that run, LOTUS BREEZE drifted in under pressure which reduced the gap between LOTUS BREEZE and RED MARVEL. He said as he expected LOTUS BREEZE to continue shifting in, he committed VICTORY BOYS to the outside of LOTUS BREEZE as a run was developing between that horse and PHOTON WILLIE. He said this resulted in VICTORY BOYS being awkwardly placed close to the heels of LOTUS BREEZE passing the 200 Metres. He said at this time he was committed to continuing to shift to the outside of LOTUS BREEZE as there was still not enough room to improve between that horse and RED MARVEL. He said as he continued to shift to the outside of LOTUS BREEZE, RED MARVEL shifted in which once again created a run between that horse and LOTUS BREEZE, however, at this time he was already positioned to the outside of LOTUS BREEZE. He said he was then unable to obtain clear running on VICTORY BOYS for the remainder of the race and because of this VICTORY BOYS was not able to be tested. After viewing the film, Apprentice Poon’s explanation was accepted. TOP LAURELS and SUPER FORM were sent for sampling.