04/11/2008  Happy Valley  Race 1

From the outside barrier, on jumping, MR FLOODLIGHT was taken across behind runners. PERFECT ATHLETE was a little slow to begin, then shortly afterwards was awkwardly placed close to the heels of NOBLE ZOOM. After this, despite being ridden along, PERFECT ATHLETE failed to muster speed and as a consequence travelled in a rearward position. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, NOBLE ZOOM was steadied away from the heels of WINNING AHEAD after being carried in by GANBARIA which had its head on the side and shifted ground. Also making the turn at the 1000 Metres, FULL BLESSINGS hung out. In the early and middle stages, MASTER YING travelled wide and without cover. The declaration of weighed-in was deferred as the Stewards were of the opinion an incident which occurred near the 600 Metres cast doubt on whether MASTER YING (W M Lai) ought be declared the 2nd placegetter. C K Tong, the rider of ABLE STANDARD, 4th placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against MASTER YING being declared the 2nd placegetter alleging interference near the 600 Metres. The evidence disclosed that commencing to make the turn at the 600 Metres MASTER YING shifted in when not clear of GANBARIA, causing that horse to be carried in and caused crowding on its inside to ABLE STANDARD which as a result became badly unbalanced and lost its rightful running. As the Stewards were of the opinion that had the interference to ABLE STANDARD which was attributable to MASTER YING not occurred, bearing in mind the margin between the horses at the end of the race, ABLE STANDARD would have finished in front of MASTER YING. Therefore the protest/objection was sustained. Accordingly MASTER YING was placed immediately behind ABLE STANDARD and weighed-in was declared on the amended placings: No. 10, PALIO KING, 1st, No. 3, FASTER FASTER, 2nd, No. 8, ABLE STANDARD, 3rd, and No. 11, MASTER YING, 4th. At a subsequent inquiry, W M Lai was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 600 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in when not clear of GANBARIA, causing that horse to be crowded for room, shift in and caused crowding on its inside to ABLE STANDARD which as a result became unbalanced, lost its rightful running and was checked. When ABLE STANDARD was checked, the following runners received consequential interference: COP HILL LAD, FULL BLESSINGS, PALIO KING, NOBLE ZOOM, FASTER FASTER, all of which were checked and MONTY and PERFECT ATHLETE were checked severely. WINNING AHEAD was also hampered and carried wider. In the circumstances of this case, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for W M Lai's licence to ride in races be suspended for a period to expire on Thursday 4 December 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday 23 November 2008. In addition, W M Lai was fined $25,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. From the 450 Metres until prior to straightening, MR FLOODLIGHT was steadied when held up and unable to improve inside PERFECT ATHLETE and behind FASTER FASTER. Over the final 150 Metres, COP HILL LAD and MR FLOODLIGHT were not able to obtain clear running. Because of this, both horses were not tested. Over the concluding stages, when giving ground, GANBARIA hung in. Because of this, GANBARIA was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. Also over the concluding stages, PERFECT ATHLETE had difficulty obtaining clear running. Because of this, PERFECT ATHLETE was not ridden out to the end of the race as it normally would be. GANBARIA, MONTY and PERFECT ATHLETE were sent for an official veterinary inspection. After the race, GANBARIA was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said an endoscopic examination showed the horse to have an intermittent displacement of the soft palate. A veterinary inspection of MONTY and PERFECT ATHLETE after the race did not show any significant findings. PALIO KING and FASTER FASTER were sent for sampling.