16/12/2009  Happy Valley  Race 7

SUPER GOAL MASTER began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, GOOD STRIKE, from a wide barrier, was taken across behind runners. In the early stages, ENRICHED travelled wide and without cover and near the 900 Metres was shifted in to a position behind ESPERANZA to obtain cover. Near the 800 Metres, GOOD STRIKE, which was over-racing, was checked away from the heels of HANDSOME BATCHELOR. Then, for some distance after this, GOOD STRIKE continued to be awkwardly placed close to the heels of HANDSOME BATCHELOR and near the 600 Metres shifted out and bumped INVINCIBLEKINDNESS. Passing the 200 Metres, SUPER GOAL MASTER was steadied when crowded for room between SAMMY’S FALCON (O Doleuze) and GOOD STRIKE, both of which shifted ground. In this incident, SUPER GOAL MASTER was struck over the nose by the whip of O Doleuze. Near the 150 Metres, Apprentice M L Yeung (GOOD STRIKE) dropped his whip. In this incident, Apprentice Yeung also dropped his right rein. The Stewards will interview Apprentice Yeung, in the presence of his allocated trainer, Mr A Lee, prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday 19 December 2009 regarding Apprentice Yeung dropping his whip. It was noted that this was the 4th occasion this season that Apprentice Yeung had dropped his whip during the running of a race. Approaching the 100 Metres, ENRICHED got its head on the side and shifted in before being straightened by its rider. When questioned regarding his riding of INVINCIBLEKINDNESS rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, A Gryder stated that rounding the Home Turn he was following ENRICHED. He said rather than shift to that horse’s outside and risk being taken unnecessarily wide, he elected to attempt to obtain a position to the inside of ENRICHED in the hope that a run would present itself between that horse and HANDSOME BATCHELOR. He said at the entrance of the Straight, a run eventuated between HANDSOME BATCHELOR and ENRICHED, however, he observed that ESPERANZA, which was racing in advance of those horses, was weakening, he therefore elected to shift his mount to the outside of ENRICHED to obtain clear running. A Gryder was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he should, wherever possible, afford his mounts unimpeded running. Throughout the race, ESPERANZA travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of HANDSOME BATCHELOR after the race did not show any significant findings. TAI SING YEH and MY MEMORY were sent for sampling. Adjourned Inquiries – 16 December 2009 Happy Valley Racemeeting Race 7 (245) The Stewards today interviewed Apprentice M L Yeung, in the presence of his allocated trainer, Mr A Lee, regarding him dropping his whip near the 150 Metres on GOOD STRIKE. The Stewards have previously spoken to Apprentice Yeung on a number of occasions this season as well as on one occasion during the 2008/2009 season regarding him having dropped his whip during a race. Apprentice Yeung was advised that the number of occasions on which he had dropped his whip during races, particularly during this season, was unacceptable and should he re-offend within a reasonable time, disciplinary action may be taken.