09/06/2010  Happy Valley  Race 5

TOP DRAGON, which was leaning against the outside of its stall, was slow to begin. VILASOL began awkwardly. B Doyle (SKY WALKER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1500 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of NORTH HILL, resulting in that horse being checked and blundering. B Doyle was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 8 July 2010 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension shall commence on Monday, 28 June 2010 on which day B Doyle was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred at the Sha Tin racemeeting last Sunday, 6 June 2010. In addition, B Doyle was fined $20,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. At the 1500 Metres, TOP DRAGON was also checked when crowded for room between NORTH HILL which was taken in by SKY WALKER and MERIDIAN PRIDE which shifted out slightly. Near the 1000 Metres, FUN HEROES got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FOREST STAR. Near the 900 Metres, VILASOL and GALLANT MASTER raced tight inside FUN HEROES after GALLANT MASTER improved into tight running to the inside of FUN HEROES. No action was taken. A short distance later, FUN HEROES was steadied when awkwardly placed between GALLANT MASTER and SKY WALKER. Near the 650 Metres, FUN HEROES and TOP DRAGON bumped. At the entrance to the Straight, FOREST STAR became unbalanced when crowded for room between SKY WALKER and GALLANT MASTER (C K Tong) which shifted out to improve its position. C K Tong was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care than he did on this occasion when shifting out to improve his position. H W Lai (CHARMGOLD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of EURO SWIFTLY, resulting in that horse losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled and having to be steadied away from the heels of CHARMGOLD. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Friday, 2 July 2010 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 Sunday, 20 June 2010. In addition, H W Lai was fined $30,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. Throughout the race, SKY WALKER travelled wide and without cover. The performance of MERIDIAN PRIDE, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MERIDIAN PRIDE will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of FUN HEROES and MERIDIAN PRIDE after the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucopus in each horse’s trachea. OTTIMO and VILASOL were sent for sampling.