18/04/2012  Happy Valley  Race 3

TOP DRAGON was slow to begin and shortly after the start was crowded for room between ALMIGHTY WINDPOWER which shifted out after being bumped by MATSUKAZE and DRAGON PINS which shifted in. Near the 1400 Metres, SOMETHING SPECIAL raced tight inside TOP DRAGON. Z Purton (GRAND ELITE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of TOP DRAGON, causing that horse to be crowded for room outside the heels of HEI HEI POSH and to be checked and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 7 May 2012 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, 29 April 2012. Near the 1200 Metres, TOP DRAGON got its head up and proved difficult to settle when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GRAND ELITE. DILIGENT III, which was following, was checked out away from the heels of that horse. In the early part of the Straight, DRAGON PINS got its head on the side and hung in towards the heels of SUPREME TYCOON. J Lloyd (TOP DRAGON) reported that after being interfered with approaching the 1300 Metres, his mount proved difficult to settle at various times after this. He said near the 800 Metres TOP DRAGON was travelling keenly and for this reason he shifted away from the heels of GRAND ELITE with a view to improving his position quickly to be racing behind KIDCONI which was travelling in a three wide position. He said however that when he improved his position on TOP DRAGON, GRAND ELITE shifted out to occupy the three wide position which resulted in TOP DRAGON being obliged to race four wide and without cover after this. He added that he had ridden TOP DRAGON similarly when the horse was successful two starts ago. A veterinary inspection of MATSUKAZE after the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, MATSUKAZE will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of KIDCONI and SUPREME TYCOON after the race did not show any significant findings. DILIGENT III and GRAND ELITE were sent for sampling.