17/10/2007  Happy Valley  Race 7

UNIQUE SPEED was slow to begin. TREASURE RAIDERS and PROPELLOR were taken across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, ENGINEERING WONDER was awkwardly placed inside the heels of DIM SUM. Near the 800 Metres, TIGER RIDGE was bumped and carried wider by FLAG FINDER which at this time itself was carried wider by COUNTRY MAGIC which shifted out momentarily. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, THE WORLD OF LOVE was steadied when awkwardly placed inside FLAG FINDER which at this time was carried in by TIGER RIDGE which throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. UNIQUE SPEED made the turn at the 600 Metres awkwardly and hung out. Making the Home Turn, THE WORLD OF LOVE raced tight inside FLAG FINDER. W M Lai (PROPELLOR) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that making the Home Turn he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of UNIQUE SPEED, causing that horse to be crowded for room, bumped the running rail, became badly unbalanced and be severely checked. TREASURE RAIDERS, which was following, was severely checked in consequence. W M Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday 4 November 2007 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Sunday 28 October 2007. In addition, W M Lai was fined $25,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. At the 200 Metres, TREASURE RAIDERS was steadied when awkwardly placed inside UNIQUE SPEED. PROPELLOR and FLAG FINDER were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of PROPELLOR and FLAG FINDER after the race did not show any significant findings. HURRAY HURRAY and DIM SUM were sent for sampling.