24/10/2012  Happy Valley  Race 3

HONOUR LIST, Standby Declared Starter, was withdrawn on 22.10.12 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (blood abnormality). DANEWIN WINNING was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left fore tendon swelling). Before being allowed to race again, HONOUR LIST and DANEWIN WINNING will both be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Veterinary Officer reported that whilst being saddled, WALALA reared and struck its head and, in his opinion, was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of WALALA. Before being allowed to race again, WALALA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PILLOWIN proved difficult to load and was then slow to begin. Before being allowed to race again, PILLOWIN will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. From a wide barrier, HEART OF GRACE was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, HAPPY AMBASSADOR was bumped by FOREVER AHEAD which got its head on the side and shifted away from PURE FORCE which itself was shifting in. At the 1000 Metres, HAPPY AMBASSADOR got its head on the side, shifted out and in doing so made contact with MAKE IT, causing HAPPY AMBASSADOR to become unbalanced. W M Lai (DIAMOND RAINBOW) pleaded guilty to a charge of improper riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after being taken out to a three wide position passing the 800 Metres by FOREVER AHEAD which then established running between PURE FORCE and DIAMOND RAINBOW, he directed DIAMOND RAINBOW in near the 700 Metres when not clear of FOREVER AHEAD, causing that horse to be carried in across the heels of PURE FORCE, resulting in FOREVER AHEAD being checked after striking the heels of PURE FORCE. Whilst the Stewards were aware that W M Lai had previously been charged with breaching the improper riding Rule in 2000 and 2001, in the circumstances of this case, it was decided that the appropriate penalty was for him to be suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 6 December 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (6 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Wednesday, 14 November 2012. After the 700 Metres, DIAMOND RAINBOW got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of SILVER DRAGON. Shortly after entering the Straight, SILVER DRAGON shifted in and bumped PURE FORCE which was attempting to obtain clear running between that horse and SUNSHINE KID. A short distance later, PURE FORCE and SILVER DRAGON again bumped. Close to the finishing line, PURE FORCE raced tight inside SILVER DRAGON. Throughout the race, CAPITAL K travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the performance of FOREVER AHEAD, which was having its first race start tonight, D Whyte stated that unlike in its trials when the horse began well and travelled on the bit, FOREVER AHEAD did not begin well and as a result had to be ridden along vigorously in the early stages in an attempt to obtain a forward position. He said FOREVER AHEAD raced greenly in the early stages and after shifting away from the rail passing the 800 Metres commenced to travel more kindly. He said however that after striking interference near the 700 Metres, FOREVER AHEAD came off the bridle and he had to again ride the horse along in an attempt to maintain its position. He said for the remainder of the race FOREVER AHEAD continued to race greenly and in the Straight got its head up when being ridden along and raced ungenerously. A veterinary inspection of FOREVER AHEAD after the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY AMBASSADOR after the race did not show any significant findings. FOREVER AHEAD, SILVER DRAGON and PURE FORCE were sent for sampling.