09/01/2008  Happy Valley  Race 3

WINNING PAL and CALL ME CULLEN were slow to begin. SOU MA TAM began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped RACING SPIRIT. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, WIKI WIKI and SOU MA TAM were crowded for room inside RACING SPIRIT which shifted in momentarily. In the early stages, ZEPHYRUS was taken back to a position with cover. After entering the Back Straight, BITE MY DUST was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 400 Metres, GOLDEN WIN was checked away from the heels of TAKE IT EASY which after initially shifting out slightly shifted back in and was steadied away from the heels of POWER DRAGON. No action was taken. Some inconvenience was caused to WIKI WIKI which was following. S Dye (SOU MA TAM) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that about the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of WINNING PAL, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and be checked. S Dye was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 24 January 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension is to commence on Thursday 17 January 2008 on which day Jockey Dye was eligible to resume race riding from a prior suspension. In addition, S Dye was fined $20,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. H W Lai (OPTIC KING) dropped his whip at the 250 Metres. Over the final 200 Metres, ZEPHYRUS hung in and proved difficult to ride, placing M Nunes, its rider, at a disadvantage. Y T Cheng (TAKE IT EASY) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of GOLDEN WIN and POWER DRAGON, causing those horses to lose their rightful running and be checked. Y T Cheng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 28 January 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension is to commence on Thursday 17 January 2008 on which day Jockey Cheng was eligible to resume race riding from a prior suspension. In addition, Y T Cheng was fined $35,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. Apprentice K T Yeung (TIGER RIDGE) explained from the outside barrier he had been instructed to settle his mount and endeavour to find the rail in a position midfield or worse. He said TIGER RIDGE began well, he immediately steadied his mount and endeavoured to shift across behind runners to the rail. He said TIGER RIDGE travelled keenly and when CALL ME CULLEN took the rail at the rear, he was obliged to race outside that horse. POWER DRAGON was sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, POWER DRAGON was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse was lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, POWER DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TAKE IT EASY, WIKI WIKI and RACING SPIRIT were sent for sampling.