14/05/2008  Happy Valley  Race 7

On jumping, SUNBELL got its head up and was then crowded for room between SOUNDS FANTASTIC and DASHING THUNDER. After this, SUNBELL was ridden along in an endeavour to make up ground, however, failed to muster speed. From the outside barrier, FIRST BABY was restrained on jumping and shifted across behind runners. From a wide barrier, MASTER GUNNER was taken back in the early stages. M W Leung (SUNBELL) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the winning post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of FIRST BABY, causing that horse to lose its rightful running and be checked. M W Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 2 June 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday 21 May 2008. Prior to straightening, MASTER GUNNER was checked away from the heels of KOWLOON FIT which at this time raced tight inside MAINLAND SHUTTLE. At the 150 Metres, FIRST BABY, which was closing the race off fairly, was steadied when having some difficulty obtaining clear running. In the Straight, MAINLAND SHUTTLE hung in. For the major part of the race, MAINLAND SHUTTLE travelled wide and without cover. For the major part of the race and particularly on the turns, KING ACRYLIC hung out. P H Lo (DASHING THUNDER) said he had been instructed from barrier 9 not to ride the horse along in the early stages and endeavour to obtain a position on the rail if possible. He said he was advised DASHING THUNDER when racing away from the rail particularly in the Home Straight has a history of hanging in. He said in accordance with those instructions he did not ride along in the early stages and commenced to shift across behind runners. He said as he did this SUNBELL was hard ridden to improve on his inside and as a consequence he was not able to obtain a position on the rail. He did concede after viewing the films that there was an opportunity for him to ride DASHING THUNDER along approaching the winning post on the first occasion which would have enabled him to obtain a position on the rail behind NOBLE HEART. He said shortly after passing the winning post on the first occasion the opportunity to obtain that position was not available as SUNBELL was again ridden along to his inside. He said as a consequence DASHING THUNDER travelled away from the rail throughout the race. He said he commenced to improve his position after the 600 Metres, however, for him to do so required him to shift to a three wide position. He said in the Straight DASHING THUNDER hung in, proved difficult for him to ride and was disappointing in the manner in which it closed the race off. Mr C H Yip, trainer of DASHING THUNDER, confirmed the riding instructions issued to P H Lo and said in his opinion the horse’s best performances have been when it has been able to travel on the rail due to the horse’s history of hanging in. He said P H Lo was engaged to ride DASHING THUNDER in tonight’s race because of his 7 lb claim which is the highest allowance available to any rider currently riding in Hong Kong. He said it was felt DASHING THUNDER which had been racing consistently carrying large weights may benefit from the claim. He said the manner in which DASHING THUNDER will be ridden in its future starts will depend on its barrier draw and the composition of the field. WHIPLASH was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. DASHING THUNDER and SOUNDS FANTASTIC were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of WHIPLASH, DASHING THUNDER and SOUNDS FANTASTIC after the race did not show any significant findings. KING ACRYLIC and MAINLAND SHUTTLE were sent for sampling.