10/03/2010  Happy Valley  Race 1

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered whether SPEED AND GOLD had had an unfair start. Also prior to the declaration of weighed-in, Jockey S K Sit and Trainer C H Yip made an application for SPEED AND GOLD to be declared a non-runner on the grounds that it had been denied a fair start. After hearing evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, it was established that just prior to the start being effected, SPEED AND GOLD became fractious when STAR OF CHIU TON, which was in the adjoining stall, lunged at the gates. At this time, the starting gate handler assisting SPEED AND GOLD took hold of the horse’s left rein in an endeavour to steady the horse when it also lunged forward and broke open its front gate momentarily. As the start was effected and for a short time thereafter, the starting gate handler, in an attempt to assist SPEED AND GOLD, continued to hold the left rein of the horse, resulting in SPEED AND GOLD losing considerable ground. A short time after this, S K Sit reached out with his right hand and took hold of the barrier stall structure in an endeavour to steady himself. As the Stewards were of the opinion that SPEED AND GOLD had had an unfair start, they deemed the horse to be a non-runner. STAR OF CHIU TON, which was fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly, resulting in its rider, M Chadwick, becoming unbalanced. METRO RIDER and FANTASTIC TIME began awkwardly. Approaching the winning post on the first time, SUGAR ON TOP was steadied away from the heels of SMART CODE which itself shifted out after being steadied away from the heels of SHATIN TREASURE. Near the 300 Metres, LUCKY TYCOON was shifted in away from the heels of FORTUNE PUG and in doing so bumped SUGAR ON TOP. Near the 250 Metres, PRIMIATA was steadied away from the heels of FORTUNE PUG which got its head on the side and shifted out. Near the 100 Metres, WINNING PAL was shifted out away from the heels of METRO RIDER to continue improving. Then over the concluding stages, WINNING PAL got its head on the side and lay in. Throughout the race, SMART CODE travelled wide and without cover. S K Sit was severely reprimanded for riding the horse out with the whip in the Straight when it was clearly out of contention. Apprentice M L Yeung (PRIMIATA) stated that passing the 800 Metres he noted that METRO RIDER was being ridden along in a position to cross AIPODER IMAGE. He said he considered riding PRIMIATA forward at this time so as to keep AIPODER IMAGE pocketed to his inside, however, he did not believe that PRIMIATA was travelling well enough to be able to improve sufficiently so as to keep AIPODER IMAGE racing on the fence. He added also, in his opinion, he would have had to make some use of PRIMIATA to improve at this time. Apprentice M L Yeung was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out right to the end of the race where circumstances permit. A veterinary inspection of SMART CODE after the race did not show any significant findings. FORTUNE PUG and AIPODER IMAGE were sent for sampling.