19/12/2012  Happy Valley  Race 2

On arrival at the barriers, the tongue tie carried by DEMON DEMON was replaced. From wide barriers, GENKI MOOCHI and TOUCH WELL were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, GOLDEN HARVEST shifted in and bumped DEMON DEMON which in turn shifted in and hampered INFINITE COURAGE which became awkwardly placed close to the heels of AMAZING ALWAYS. Near the 900 Metres, INFINITE COURAGE was checked when crowded for room inside DEMON DEMON (Z Purton) which, when shifting in to obtain a position in advance of INFINITE COURAGE, shifted in further when being checked away from the heels of GOLDEN HARVEST which at this time was being steadied by its rider and was being shifted in. When INFINITE COURAGE was checked, it shifted in, resulting in WAYFOONG TYCOON being momentarily crowded for room. Z Purton was advised that whilst there was some circumstances to this incident, he must ensure that he is sufficiently clear of other runners when commencing to shift ground. After the 800 Metres, LITTLE RAINFOREST was left racing wide and without cover. After the 200 Metres, GREAT ALEXANDER, which was giving ground, was momentarily steadied away from the heels of GOLDEN HARVEST which shifted in. After this, GREAT ALEXANDER continued to give ground. Near the 50 Metres, GOLDEN HARVEST was struck over the nose by the whip of Z Purton. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred inside the final 100 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether HAPPY HOMING should be declared the winner of the race. Subsequently K C Leung, the rider of MAKE IT, 2nd placegetter, lodged a protest/objection against HAPPY HOMING (Y T Cheng) being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount over the final 100 Metres. After taking evidence from all parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that near the 100 Metres MAKE IT established running to the outside of HAPPY HOMING and inside GOLDEN HARVEST. It was further established that inside the 100 Metres HAPPY HOMING shifted out, resulting in MAKE IT being hampered when taken out onto GOLDEN HARVEST. Having in mind the neck margin between the two horses at the end of the race and the proximity of the incident to the winning post, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had HAPPY HOMING not have caused interference to MAKE IT that MAKE IT would have finished in front of HAPPY HOMING. Accordingly, the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers as semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, Y T Cheng pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 100 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent HAPPY HOMING from shifting out, causing MAKE IT to be hampered and taken out onto GOLDEN HARVEST which was crowded for room inside DEMON DEMON and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Y T Cheng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Wednesday, 2 January 2013 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 Saturday, 22 December 2012. In this incident, Z Purton stopped riding and shifted his mount out to relieve the tightening to his inside. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GREAT ALEXANDER, B Prebble stated that the horse began better tonight than it did at its first start and he was able to obtain a forward position without having to make too much use of the horse. He said after obtaining a forward position, GREAT ALEXANDER travelled satisfactorily in the early and middle stages. He said however that GREAT ALEXANDER came under pressure prior to the Home Turn and in the Straight, despite being ridden out, gave ground. He added that, in his opinion, the horse at this time of its career lacks maturity and will improve with racing. He also added that, in his opinion, GREAT ALEXANDER may benefit by being ridden more quietly than it was in this race. A veterinary inspection of GREAT ALEXANDER after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that MY MEMORY and GENKI MOOCHI had bled from both nostrils. GOLDEN HARVEST, HAPPY HOMING and MAKE IT were sent for sampling.