06/10/2011  Happy Valley  Race 1

GOLD JOINT was withdrawn on 5.10.11 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (raised muscle enzyme). Before being allowed to race again, GOLD JOINT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KA KA’S PROSPERITY shifted out at the start and bumped the hindquarters of FAIRY DRAGON which became unbalanced. From the outside barrier, MEGABUCKS was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by G Mossé, the rider of MR AWARD, 4th placegetter, against INVINCIBLE HEART (H W Lai) being declared the 3rd placegetter alleging interference shortly after the start. It was ascertained that approaching the 900 Metres MR AWARD was checked when crowded for room between AMAZING AWARD and INVINCIBLE HEART which shifted out. The Stewards formed the view that whilst the interference to MR AWARD was attributed to INVINCIBLE HEART shifting out, bearing in mind that the incident occurred some 900 Metres from the finishing line, they could not be comfortably satisfied that had the interference not occurred that MR AWARD would have finished in front of INVINCIBLE HEART and therefore the protest/objection was overruled. Accordingly, the Judge’s placings as semaphored were confirmed. At a subsequent inquiry, H W Lai pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of MR AWARD, causing that horse to be checked and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 31 October 2011 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, 23 October 2011. After the 700 Metres, KA KA’S PROSPERITY got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied to obtain a trailing position behind FAIRY DRAGON. Passing the 500 Metres, INVINCIBLE HEART was steadied away from the heels of AMAZING AWARD when taken out slightly by KA KA’S PROSPERITY. Near the 300 Metres, KINGSTON ELITE was momentarily crowded for room inside RUN TO WIN which shifted in. Passing the 250 Metres, MEGABUCKS was held up for clear running between KA KA’S PROSPERITY and AMAZING AWARD. Near the 200 Metres, MEGABUCKS made contact with the hindquarters of AMAZING AWARD which became unbalanced. Approaching the 100 Metres, MR AWARD was steadied before obtaining a run between MEGABUCKS and INVINCIBLE HEART which shifted in. Throughout the race, AMAZING AWARD travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. A veterinary inspection of KA KA’S PROSPERITY after the race revealed that the horse was severely lame in the right front fetlock. Before being allowed to race again, KA KA’S PROSPERITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FAIRY DRAGON and MEGABUCKS were sent for sampling.