09/06/2010  Happy Valley  Race 7

Prior to the numbers being semaphored, the Stewards signalled the deferment of the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered whether CHEVALIER KING was afforded a fair start. Subsequent to the inquiry signal being signalled, the Judge declared CHEVALIER KING as 3rd placegetter. Acting under the powers of Rule 12(19) which says that no horse which is declared first, second or third place in a race shall be declared a non-runner, no action was taken and weighed-in was confirmed on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. Just prior to the start being effected, CHEVALIER KING put its head down and consequently was slow to begin. AMEDEO and AT MOMENT IN TIME were slow to begin. Shortly after the start, AMEDEO and PROSPEROUS were hampered when crowded for room between LONDON CHINA TOWN and LUCKY PRINCE which shifted out when being steadied away from the heels of GO LEGEND GO which at this time got its head on the side and shifted out. Passing the 800 Metres, AT MOMENT IN TIME was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PLAN B. After this, AT MOMENT IN TIME got its head up on a number of occasions and proved very difficult to settle. Making the first turn after the 600 Metres, both PROSPEROUS and AT MOMENT IN TIME got their heads on the side and shifted out. After this, PROSPEROUS continued to hang out. Inside the 100 Metres, CHEVALIER KING and AT MOMENT IN TIME came together on two occasions due to both horses shifting ground. Throughout the race, AMEDEO travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the his riding of BROTHERS IN ARMS, Apprentice M L Yeung stated that he rode his mount along in the early stages of the race to obtain a forward position as instructed. He said passing the 800 Metres he was racing outside of PLAN B and he was of the impression that there were still two horses racing to the inside of PLAN B. He said therefore he allowed himself some room to that horse’s outside so that he did not cause interference to runners to his inside. He said by racing away from PLAN B, this allowed LONDON CHINA TOWN to improve its position to be racing to the inside of BROTHERS IN ARMS when PLAN B shifted in to race on the rail. He said making the first turn he received a call from the rider of LONDON CHINA TOWN to make him aware that that horse was racing inside his heels, therefore he was unable to shift in from a three wide position into a position one off the fence. He said approaching the 400 Metres when he received further precautionary calls from the rider of LONDON CHINA TOWN, he shifted BROTHERS IN ARMS out further as he felt that he may have been causing interference to runners to his inside. He added this resulted in BROTHERS IN ARMS making heavy contact with AMEDEO, causing both horses to become badly unbalanced. Apprentice Yeung was advised that his riding of BROTHERS IN ARMS in this race lacked the necessary degree of judgement in that he should have been more assertive and shifted BROTHERS IN ARMS to race directly to the outside of PLAN B so as not to allow runners to be able to improve to his inside and which resulted in BROTHERS IN ARMS covering unnecessary ground. A veterinary inspection of AMEDEO and PROSPEROUS after the race did not show any significant findings. AT MOMENT IN TIME, LONDON CHINA TOWN and LUCKY RED were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that BROTHERS IN ARMS had lost both its front plates. <10/6/2010 Additional Veterinary Report> PROSPEROUS, which performed poorly, was examined by the Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison. He said at that time there were no significant findings. PROSPEROUS was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer Y S Tsui this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left hind leg. Before being allowed to race again, PROSPEROUS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.