26/11/2008  Happy Valley  Race 7

FANTUZZI was taken back at the start. In the early stages, despite being ridden along, THE WITCH'S BROOM was slow to muster speed. Apprentice K C Leung (HAPPY CRUSADER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the winning post on the first occasion he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in which in turn caused crowding on his inside to INDUSTRIAL EXPRESS and THE WITCH'S BROOM which lost its rightful running and was checked. When THE WITCH'S BROOM checked, it became unbalanced, shifted in and bumped DIAMOND ERA, causing it to become badly unbalanced and be checked. SOHNA and FANTUZZI, which were following, were hampered in consequence. Apprentice Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 29 December 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension shall commence on Thursday 18 December 2008 on which day Apprentice Leung was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred at the Sha Tin racemeeting last Sunday. M Du Plessis (SPEEDY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of REWARDING STAR, causing that horse to be carried in and caused crowding on its inside to BILLION which as a result lost its rightful running and was checked. M Du Plessis was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday 15 December 2008 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension shall commence on Sunday 7 December 2008 on which day M Du Plessis was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred at the Sha Tin racemeeting last Sunday. In addition, M Du Plessis was fined $25,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. Approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, MANY GAINS got its head up when being steadied to allow SPEEDY to cross to the lead. At the 1100 Metres, BILLION got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of MANY GAINS. In the early and middle stages, HAPPY CRUSADER proved difficult to settle and for the major part of the race travelled wide and without cover. Making the turn at the 1000 Metres, INDUSTRIAL EXPRESS got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of HAPPY CRUSADER. Near the 800 Metres, BILLION was shifted out and ridden to improve. Making the turn at the 600 Metres, INDUSTRIAL EXPRESS hung in and bumped HOLD HANDS. Making the Home Turn, THE WITCH'S BROOM became unbalanced after bumping the running rail while racing tight inside MAINLAND SHUTTLE. In the Straight, MAINLAND SHUTTLE hung in, then at the 150 Metres was steadied and shifted out away from the heels of REWARDING STAR. When questioned regarding the poor performance of THE WITCH'S BROOM, B Doyle said after being interfered with in the early stages of the race, his mount did not feel comfortable in its action and did not travel for the remainder of the race. THE WITCH’S BROOM was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of THE WITCH'S BROOM after the race did not show any significant findings. MANY GAINS, HOLD HANDS and BILLION were sent for sampling.