15/06/2011  Happy Valley  Race 7

TUSCAN SPIRIT was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (tongue laceration). Before being allowed to race again, TUSCAN SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. On arrival at the barriers, Z Purton, the rider of ROMANTIC CITY, requested for the horse’s action to be examined by the Veterinary Officer. The Veterinary Officer reported that after trotting up ROMANTIC CITY and after the necessary consultations, the horse was found to be suitable to race. MY NAME IS BOND and SEA THE PEARLS were slow to begin. Near the 700 Metres, AT MOMENT IN TIME got its head on the side and shifted in away from CHEVALIER KING and in doing so brushed BOULD MOVER. Making the first turn after the 600 Metres, VITAL FLYER got its head on the side and shifted out. VITAL FLYER continued to lay out until after entering the Straight. Approaching the 200 Metres, EL ZONDA was hampered when disappointed for running between BLAZE KING and VITAL FLYER. After this, EL ZONDA had some difficulty obtaining clear running. K C Leung (BOULD MOVER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 100 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting out, resulting in that horse shifting ground and taking CHEVALIER KING out across the running of VITAL FLYER which as a result was checked and ultimately lost its rightful running. EL ZONDA, which was racing to the outside of VITAL FLYER, was steadied when crowded for room between VITAL FLYER which shifted out and TAI SING YEH. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 7 July 2011 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 26 June 2011. In addition, K C Leung was fined $30,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 2 further racedays. Close to the finishing line, CHEVALIER KING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BLAZE KING. Because of this, CHEVALIER KING was not ridden right out to the end of the race as it normally would be. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered if ROMANTIC CITY had been afforded a fair start. Evidence was taken from Jockey Z Purton and the Starter, Mr T McGovern. After viewing the official videos, it was ascertained that just prior to the start being effected, ROMANTIC CITY became fractious and as the start was effected began awkwardly, resulting in Jockey Purton being badly unbalanced in the saddle and ultimately being dislodged from ROMANTIC CITY shortly after the start. As the Stewards formed the opinion that ROMANTIC CITY had been afforded a fair start, that horse was deemed to be a runner and weighed-in was declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. Before being allowed to race again, ROMANTIC CITY will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. After the race, Z Purton was examined by the Club’s doctor who said, in his opinion, he was fit to fulfil his remaining riding engagement. AT MOMENT IN TIME and BLAZE KING were sent for sampling.