02/04/2008  Happy Valley  Race 5

After being boxed, CLOVIS became fractious, got its head down momentarily and endeavoured to break through underneath the front gates of its stall. CLOVIS was removed from its stall and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. ZEPHYRUS and MEGA BULLET were slow to begin. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, G-ONE LEADING was steadied when momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of KEY WINNER. In the early and middle stages, CLOVIS travelled wide and without cover. After the 700 Metres, ZEPHYRUS was left racing without cover. After entering the Back Straight, KEY WINNER became unbalanced when close to the heels of DECAGONAL which at this time was shifted to the rail. Throughout the race, VINCERE hung out, approaching the turn at the 600 Metres was not able to maintain its position and as a consequence ROCKET AND GOLD, which was following, was held up and unable to improve. Prior to straightening, DECAGONAL was steadied away from the heels of STAY YOUNG and VINCERE was steadied when awkwardly placed inside ROCKET AND GOLD. Also prior to straightening, ZEPHYRUS became unbalanced and lost ground after bumping with KEY WINNER. D Whyte (ZEPHYRUS) said after his mount bumped with KEY WINNER prior to straightening, it became unbalanced in its action. He said ZEPHYRUS then gave ground in the Straight and was disappointing in the manner in which it finished the race off. He said near the 200 Metres ZEPHYRUS was steadied when momentarily awkwardly placed between runners, however, this was of no consequence. After the 200 Metres, MEGA BULLET, which was closing the race off fairly, was awkwardly placed outside the heels of G-ONE LEADING, then shortly afterwards was steadied away from the heels of SOLAR which shifted in when barely clear. Approaching the winning post, CLOVIS, which was giving ground, was steadied when crowded for room between ROCKET AND GOLD and SOLAR, both of which shifted ground. Because of this, CLOVIS was not ridden out to the end of the race. Apprentice C W Wong (FRIENDSHIP) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the winning post he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting ground when not clear of STAY YOUNG which as a result was carried in, causing crowding on its inside to DECAGONAL which as a result was checked. In the circumstances of this case, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for Apprentice Wong’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to expire on Monday 21 April 2008 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 Wednesday 9 April 2008. In addition, Apprentice Wong was fined $10,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. In the Straight, KING OF SPADES hung in. W M Lai (DECAGONAL) explained after entering the Back Straight his mount was travelling keenly. He said he had been instructed if possible to obtain a position on the rail as it was believed tonight’s track favoured horses racing in that position. He said because of this he steadied his mount approaching the 900 Metres to obtain a position on the rail following STAY YOUNG. When questioned regarding the improved performance of FRIENDSHIP, Apprentice C W Wong explained in tonight’s race his mount was able to dictate the tempo as it obtained an uncontested lead. He added in his opinion FRIENDSHIP was suited by tonight’s track conditions which had some give. Mr C S Shum, trainer of FRIENDSHIP, said in his opinion the improved performance of FRIENDSHIP was due to the horse being able to obtain an uncontested lead. ZEPHYRUS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ZEPHYRUS after the race did not show any significant findings. ROCKET AND GOLD, FRIENDSHIP and SOLAR were sent for sampling.