10/04/2019  Happy Valley  Race 7

SPEED VISION and SPEEDY KING bumped at the start, resulting in SPEEDY KING becoming badly unbalanced, shifting out and hampering FANTASTIC FEELING. SEVEN HEAVENS got its head up on jumping when being steadied from a wide barrier to obtain cover. SEVEN HEAVENS was also bumped by PEOPLE’S KNIGHT on jumping. CASA DE FORCA began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of MEGA RED. From a wide barrier, CEREFINO was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. K Teetan (CASA DE FORCA) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of FANTASTIC FEELING, causing that horse to be unnecessarily hampered when crowded for room inside CASA DE FORCA. K Teetan was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 1 May 2019 and to expire on Monday, 6 May 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Teetan’s good race riding record. SEVEN HEAVENS got its head up passing the 1000 Metres. Passing the 900 Metres, SPEEDY KING was awkwardly placed outside the heels of SPEED VISION. CASA DE FORCA travelled wide and without cover until approaching the 600 Metres at which time PEOPLE’S KNIGHT was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 550 Metres, FANTASTIC FEELING was awkwardly placed behind SPEEDY KING. At the entrance to the Straight, CEREFINO was awkwardly placed outside INFINITY ENDEAVOUR which shifted out. When questioned, M F Poon stated that he was instructed to ride POWERMAX positively in the early stages to obtain a forward position and it was hoped that although the horse drew the outside barrier it may be able to obtain a position behind the speed. He said POWERMAX began very well and he immediately commenced to ride his mount along. He said he continued to ride POWERMAX along in the early stages, however, after the 1100 Metres PEOPLE’S KNIGHT was ridden along to maintain its position inside POWERMAX. He said as he believed that POWERMAX was not showing sufficient speed to be able to cross PEOPLE’S KNIGHT, he therefore attempted to steady POWERMAX to obtain a trailing position behind that horse. He added that making the first turn near the 1000 Metres when being steadied, POWERMAX lay out which provided CEREFINO with the opportunity to improve its position to be racing inside POWERMAX. He said this resulted in POWERMAX being left racing wide and without cover throughout the race and further back in the field than had been anticipated. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of KA YING LEGEND, M L Yeung stated that when he last rode the horse at Happy Valley over the course and distance of tonight’s race, although it ran second, KA YING LEGEND initially was able to take up a forward position behind the speed, however, had to be ridden along after the 900 Metres as it was reluctant to hold its position. He said because of this he rode the horse along in the early stages tonight as he was mindful of the fact that the horse had been reluctant to maintain its position in the middle stages. He said after being crossed by SPEED VISION after the 1100 Metres, KA YING LEGEND was again reluctant to maintain its position and he rode his mount along to ensure that it was able to remain racing as close as possible behind that horse. He said this resulted in him having to ride KA YING LEGEND along for some distance. He said based on the manner in which KA YING LEGEND failed to finish off its race, he was of the view that the horse may be better suited by allowing it to race where it was comfortable rather than having to continually ride it along in an attempt to obtain a more forward position. A veterinary inspection of KA YING LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of STARLIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPEED VISION and SPEEDY KING were sent for sampling.