07/02/2018  Happy Valley  Race 5

Acting on veterinary advice that MY HONEY was not suitable to race due to a left front limb infection and associated lameness, the horse was withdrawn by order of the Stewards prior to Race 1. Before being allowed to race again, MY HONEY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. NUMERO UNO was slow to begin and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. DR PROACTIVE began only fairly. NOBLE STAR was tightened for room shortly after the start between TRAVEL DATUK and SUPERIOR BOY, both of which shifted ground.. A short distance after this, SUPERIOR BOY was crowded for room between NOBLE STAR and SILLY BUDDIES which shifted out. In this incident, SILLY BUDDIES became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by SUPERIOR BOY. When being steadied to obtain cover near the 1100 Metres, NOBLE STAR got its head up and travelled keenly. Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, BUOYANT BOY raced tight inside NOBLE STAR after improving quickly to the inside of that horse. Also making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, GOLDEN GLORY got its head on the side and lay out. Near the 850 Metres, BUOYANT BOY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of NUMERO UNO. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, GOLDEN GLORY again got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of DR PROACTIVE, resulting in GOLDEN GLORY being checked and losing ground. Rounding the Home Turn, BUOYANT BOY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of NOBLE STAR. At the entrance to the Straight, SUPERIOR BOY got its head on the side, shifted in and bumped SILLY BUDDIES. Passing the 300 Metres, BEST RUNNER got its head on the side and shifted in away from TRAVEL DATUK, resulting in BEST RUNNER being awkwardly placed close to the heels of DR PROACTIVE. Passing the 250 Metres, BEST RUNNER shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of TRAVEL DATUK. NUMERO UNO was badly held up for clear running from near the 200 Metres until near the 100 Metres. At the 200 Metres, A Badel (TRAVEL DATUK) dropped his whip. Approaching the 100 Metres, SILLY BUDDIES was momentarily crowded for room between SUPERIOR BOY and THE SHOW which shifted out. A Badel (TRAVEL DATUK) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of BEST RUNNER, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. A Badel was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Monday, 26 February 2018 and to expire on Sunday, 4 March 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, A Badel was fined $27,500. N Rawiller (NUMERO UNO) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that close to the finishing line he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of DR PROACTIVE, causing that horse to be badly hampered and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. N Rawiller was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 28 February 2018 and to expire on Sunday, 4 March 2018 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, N Rawiller was fined $15,000. For the majority of the race, SUPERIOR BOY travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of SUPERIOR BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOLDEN GLORY, NAVAS and NUMERO UNO were sent for sampling.