17/11/2010  Happy Valley  Race 3

SUPER SURVEYS and FLY HIGH began awkwardly. ORIENTAL COURSER and MOSSMAN BLITZ were slow to begin. INVINCIBLE HEART shifted out at the start, resulting in MOUNT SURPLUS, FASTPLUS MASTER and FISHKING GLORY being crowded for room inside LUCKY MARBLE. Approaching the 800 Metres, MOSSMAN BLITZ was steadied away from the heels of INVINCIBLE HEART which shifted in when only just clear. H W Lai (MOUNT SURPLUS) dropped his whip at the 200 Metres. Passing the 100 Metres, MOUNT SURPLUS, which was giving ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of INVINCIBLE HEART which shifted out. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident occurred over the concluding stages which cast doubt on whether INVINCIBLE HEART should be declared the 2nd placegetter of the race. After viewing the videos, a protest/objection on behalf of the connections of FISHKING GLORY, 3rd placegetter, was not proceeded with. The Stewards found that whilst INVINCIBLE HEART (M W Leung) shifted out over the concluding stages and bumped FISHKING GLORY, having in mind where the incident took place and the margin of a neck between the horses, there was not sufficient grounds to proceed with the matter. Nonetheless, M W Leung was advised to ensure that he makes every effort to keep his mounts on a straight course in future. Throughout the race, FLY HIGH travelled wide and without cover. B Doyle pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride MEGABUCKS, 4th placegetter, out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. For this breach, B Doyle was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 9 December 2010 on which day he may resume race riding (5 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 21 November 2010. FISHKING GLORY, ORIENTAL COURSER and INVINCIBLE HEART were sent for sampling.