15/10/2008  Happy Valley  Race 6

While in the saddling stalls, MAGIC CHARIOT cast its left front plate. MAGIC CHARIOT was replated and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. HAPPY PROGRESSION was slow to begin and then lost further ground when crowded for room between MASTER GREEN and KEEN SOUL, both of which shifted ground. Shortly after the start, NATIVE KID was checked when crowded for room between WINDICATOR RETURNS which shifted out slightly and MI REILLY which became unbalanced after being bumped by ACHILLES OF TROY (O Doleuze) which got its head on the side and shifted in. In the circumstances, O Doleuze was told he must do his utmost to protect his fellow riders. From wide barriers, MAGIC CHARIOT and SUPREMACY were taken back in the early stages. F Coetzee (KEEN SOUL) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 850 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HAR HAR CHARMS, causing that horse to be carried in and cause crowding on its inside to DIAMOND SUPREME which as a result lost its rightful running and was checked. F Coetzee was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 30 October 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 next Sunday 19 October 2008. Near the 700 Metres, WINDICATOR RETURNS, which was awkwardly placed, was steadied and taken back to a position with cover. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, NATIVE KID lost ground when awkwardly placed inside SUPREMACY. After the 600 Metres, DIAMOND SUPREME was crowded for room inside WINDICATOR RETURNS which shifted in when being steadied away from the heels of BELONG TO CASA which was hanging in. On straightening, MAGIC CHARIOT was carried wider by NATIVE KID which shifted out, then near the 200 Metres was inconvenienced and steadied away from the heels of NATIVE KID which shifted further. For the majority of the race, ACHILLES OF TROY and BELONG TO CASA hung in. Throughout the race, MI REILLY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, D Whyte (HAR HAR CHARMS) explained he had to make use of his mount to hold his position on the rail making the turn at the 600 Metres. He said HAR HAR CHARMS kept on until after the 200 Metres when it commenced to shorten stride. He said the manner in which HAR HAR CHARMS shortened its action over the concluding stages indicated to him that it might have been feeling its legs. HAR HAR CHARMS was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of HAR HAR CHARMS after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, HAR HAR CHARMS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DIAMOND SUPREME and NATIVE KID were sent for sampling.