21/09/2011  Happy Valley  Race 2

WINNING PAL was slow to begin and shortly after the start was crowded for room between JUGGERNAUT and MUSTANG which got its head on the side and shifted in. On jumping, NICKU got its head on the side and shifted out, resulting in TREASURE GLITTER and VANQUISH DELIGHT being hampered. B Doyle (HIGH COMMAND) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of FELAROF, resulting in that horse being taken across the rightful running of JUGGERNAUT which was checked and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. TREASURE GLITTER, which was following JUGGERNAUT was checked and VANQUISH DELIGHT, which was following TREASURE GLITTER (Apprentice K C Ng), severely checked in consequence. At this time, VANQUISH DELIGHT struck the back legs of TREASURE GLITTER which as a result became badly unbalanced. GILDED FLIGHT, which was following VANQUISH DELIGHT, was checked out away from the heels of VANQUISH DELIGHT and shifted wider, resulting in MOUNT VICTORY being hampered. B Doyle was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 10 October 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 Saturday, 1 October 2011. Apprentice Ng reported that after being galloped on, TREASURE GLITTER did not stretch out for some distance, however, after the 1000 Metres commenced to travel more kindly. He said in the Straight the horse worked home fairly considering the incident which occurred near the 1300 Metres. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that TREASURE GLITTER had sustained a wound to the right hock. Passing the 1100 Metres, MOUNT VICTORY proved difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of VANQUISH DELIGHT. Approaching the 1000 Metres, VANQUISH DELIGHT shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MUSTANG, resulting in GILDED FLIGHT being taken wider. After this, VANQUISH DELIGHT travelled wide and without cover. At the 600 Metres, MUSTANG lost ground after shifting in and making contact with TREASURE GLITTER, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. In the early part of the Straight, GILDED FLIGHT got its head on the side and lay in. Approaching the 200 Metres, JUGGERNAUT was momentarily steadied away from the heels of FORTUNE WINNER which shifted in. When questioned, Trainer B K Ng stated that from barrier 9, he instructed Y T Cheng to ride GILDED FLIGHT, which was having its first start for his stable, in a position around midfield if possible and with cover. He said although he was aware that GILDED FLIGHT had previously been ridden on the speed, he believed that a number of runners drawn more favourably possessed good early speed and he was concerned that if GILDED FLIGHT were to be ridden into a forward position, the horse may be left racing wide and without cover. He added that given the circumstances of the race he was pleased with the manner in which GILDED FLIGHT was able to finish off its race when ridden more quietly than had previously been the case. Following the race, O Doleuze reported that WINNING PAL, despite being ridden along throughout the event, was reluctant to stretch out. A veterinary inspection of WINNING PAL after the race revealed that the horse to have a non-painful mild swelling of the left chest. A veterinary inspection of MUSTANG after the race did not show any significant findings. TREASURE GLITTER, FORTUNE WINNER and MOUNT VICTORY were sent for sampling.