21/11/2012  Happy Valley  Race 3

A veterinary examination of ENDURING, which was fractious when being saddled up, found that horse to be suitable to race. BILLION and REAL DRAGON bumped at the start as did LUCKY CHEVALIER and GOOD GAINS. YUAN’S FORTUNE was slow to begin. From the outside barrier, NORDIC STAR was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, TRAVEL GUIDE failed to muster speed and throughout the race travelled wide and without cover. K C Leung (STORM UNICORN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the winning post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LUCKY CHEVALIER, causing that horse to be checked and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. GOOD GAINS, which was following, was hampered in consequence. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 6 December 2012 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 Wednesday, 28 November 2012. Passing the 1300 Metres, ENDURING and STORM UNICORN raced tight as STORM UNICORN shifted in. K C Leung was reprimanded and advised to ensure that whilst he rides competitively, he does not ride in such a manner so as to breach the Rules of Racing. Passing the 200 Metres, EASY GOLD was awkwardly placed close to the heels of REAL DRAGON which shifted out under pressure. A short distance later, EASY GOLD and STORM UNICORN bumped as EASY GOLD shifted out away from the heels of REAL DRAGON. A veterinary inspection of GOOD GAINS after the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY CHEVALIER, STORM UNICORN and REAL DRAGON were sent for sampling.