19/09/2007  Happy Valley  Race 2

LUCKY MAN began awkwardly and lost ground. KING'S CHOICE was slow to muster speed. Near the 900 Metres, MILLION CHASE got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of OPTIC KING which shifted in when not clear. B Prebble was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. After the 900 Metres, JET RISE was steadied away from the heels of OPTIC KING (B Prebble) which shifted in when not quite clear. B Prebble was told to exercise greater care. B Prebble (OPTIC KING) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 800 Metres he shifted his mount in abruptly when not clear of DOUCAI, resulting in that horse being carried away from its rightful running and being unnecessarily hampered. NAMJONG SKY and SIR OCTAVIUS, which were following, were hampered in consequence. B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Tuesday 2 October 2007 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong race days). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting next Sunday 23 September 2007. In addition, B Prebble was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. SIR OCTAVIUS, which was following NAMJONG SKY, was steadied in consequence. After the 600 Metres, LUCKY MAN, which was travelling keenly, was steadied away from the heels of NAMJONG SKY. On straightening, MILLION CHASE was steadied and shifted to the outside of CARELESS WHISPER into clear running. Over about the last 200 Metres, NAMJONG SKY, which had commenced to close the race off strongly, was not able to obtain clear running and because of this was not fully tested. Throughout the race, MAJIN BUU travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the improved performance of PERFECT ATHLETE, Mr C H Yip, trainer of the horse, explained the horse had raced in a manner which showed immaturity last season. He said he decided against racing the horse at the back end of last season as its rating was dropping towards the level which could force it into compulsory retirement. He said because of this the horse had been spelling since late April and had matured significantly in this time. He said PERFECT ATHLETE had previously been ridden in work by D Whyte and again had been ridden in work by the same jockey recently. He said D Whyte had advised him PERFECT ATHLETE had in his opinion improved considerably. He said because the horse was handicapped to carry 113 lbs tonight, D Whyte was not able to make the weight and therefore he engaged Y T Cheng for the ride. He said regardless of the advice of D Whyte, he had advised the connections that in his opinion PERFECT ATHLETE was at best an outside chance in tonight's race. When questioned regarding the poor performance of OKEYDOKEY, D Whyte was unable to offer any explanation. He said the horse travelled fairly in a good position in the early and middle stages, however, failed to quicken when placed under pressure. Mr D E Ferraris, trainer of OKEYDOKEY, reported to the Stewards that it is now the intention for OKEYDOKEY to be retired. SIR OCTAVIUS sand OKEYDOKEY were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of SIR OCTAVIUS sand OKEYDOKEY after the race did not show any significant findings. PERFECT ATHLETE and OPTIC KING were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported CARELESS WHISPER had sustained a wound to its right hind foot as a result of being galloped on. Additional Veterinary Reports (released on 20 September 2007) OKEYDOKEY, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. OKEYDOKEY was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer D E Ferraris this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in the left front leg. Mr Ferraris confirmed to the Stewards this morning that OKEYDOKEY will now be retired.