10/04/2013  Happy Valley  Race 4

Shortly after the start, MIRAGE R blundered after being crowded for room between O’REILLY MAGIC and MING HOI GLORY which got its head on the side and shifted out away from SAMMY’S FORTUNE. From a wide barrier, YOUNG HAPPY was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Approaching the 1600 Metres, SUPREME TYCOON was hampered by PERFECT TEN which shifted out slightly. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, SAMMY’S FORTUNE was crowded for room inside MIRAGE R which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of O’REILLY MAGIC which got its head on the side and shifted in and away from SUPREME TYCOON. Apprentice C Y Lui (MEDIC CHAMPION) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1400 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in when not clear of CASA JUNIOR, causing that horse to be checked and taken in onto DYNAMIC CROSS which also was checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Lui was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 25 April 2013 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, 17 April 2013. MING HOI GLORY, which was following DYNAMIC CROSS, was hampered and shifted out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in PERFECT TEN being taken wider. After this incident, CASA JUNIOR proved very difficult to settle for some distance. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, MING HOI GLORY shifted out and bumped SUPREME TYCOON. Near the 500 Metres, LUCKY ARMY and O’REILLY MAGIC raced tight. Rounding the Home Turn, SUPREME TYCOON, O’REILLY MAGIC and YOUNG HAPPY were all taken wider by WINNER SMART which shifted out. Shortly after entering the Straight, YOUNG HAPPY shifted in and brushed O’REILLY MAGIC. Near the 150 Metres, SAMMY’S FORTUNE was steadied and shifted out when crowded for room inside DYNAMIC CROSS which was taken in by MIRAGE R which after initially shifting in slightly was then corrected by its rider. Approaching and passing the 100 Metres, YOUNG HAPPY got its head on the side and shifted in under pressure. Over the concluding stages, MIRAGE R was awkwardly placed inside the heels of PERFECT TEN. Also over the concluding stages, LUCKY ARMY was steadied when crowded for room between PERFECT TEN and CASA JUNIOR (W M Lai) which shifted in. W M Lai was severely reprimanded and advised that whilst his mount did not shift appreciable ground, nonetheless it had been enough to cause interference to LUCKY ARMY and in similar circumstances he would be expected to make more of an effort to prevent his mounts from shifting in than he did on this occasion. For the majority of the race, SUPREME TYCOON travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME TYCOON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY ARMY, MEDIC CHAMPION and CASA JUNIOR were sent for sampling.