25/04/2012  Happy Valley  Race 6

NOVEL WINNING was withdrawn on 24.4.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left fore tendon injury) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FLYING UNICORN. Before being allowed to race again, NOVEL WINNING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From a wide barrier, SICHUAN LEGEND was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. NORDIC STAR was crowded for room shortly after the start between SUNNY MORE which got its head on the side and shifted out and AMITYSHIP which shifted in after being bumped by NEEDLES AND THREAD. A Suborics (CHAMPAGNE DAYS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the winning post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of AMITYSHIP, causing that horse to be crowded for room and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. A Suborics was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Sunday, 20 May 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension shall commence on Sunday, 13 May 2012 on which day A Suborics was due to resume race riding from a suspension incurred at the Happy Valley racemeeting on Sunday, 15 April 2012. When AMITYSHIP lost ground, NORDIC STAR, which was following, shifted out away from the heels of that horse, resulting in NEEDLES AND THREAD being crowded for room inside TRAVEL GUIDE. Near the 1300 Metres, AMITYSHIP was hampered when momentarily crowded for room inside XILAI XIANZI. Approaching the 800 Metres, VIVA GUY was checked away from the heels of NORDIC STAR. Shortly after entering the Straight, SUNNY MORE was shifted in across the heels of HEART WOOD to obtain clear running. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TRAVEL GUIDE, D Whyte stated that, from barrier 8, it had been intended for the horse to be ridden in about a midfield position or slightly worse if circumstances permitted as, in the opinion of the horse’s trainer, Mr C H Yip, TRAVEL GUIDE had recently been closing off its races strongly when not pressured to obtain a forward position in the early stages. He said although TRAVEL GUIDE was bumped at the start by VIVA GUY, he was able to obtain a good position behind XILAI XIANZI in the early stages. He said TRAVEL GUIDE travelled well throughout the early and middle stages and rounding the Home Turn he felt that the horse would finish off the race strongly. He added that shortly after entering the Straight he placed TRAVEL GUIDE under pressure, however, the horse did not show any turn of foot and, despite being ridden along, finished off the race only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of TRAVEL GUIDE after the race did not show any significant findings. TRAVEL GUIDE, FLYING UNICORN and XILAI XIANZI were sent for sampling.