16/01/2013  Happy Valley  Race 5

After being loaded, ONE OF A KIND became fractious, reared on two occasions and momentarily got its front feet over the front gates. ONE OF A KIND was removed from the barriers and examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. Before being allowed to race again, ONE OF A KIND will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial. DILIGENT III was slow to begin and then despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to muster speed. From the outside barriers, BRILLIANT CHARIOT and YUAN’S FORTUNE were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, OPTIMIZATION STAR was awkwardly placed inside the heels of EASY GOLD. Near the 500 Metres, VERY WELL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLORA DANICA. C Y Ho (LUCKY CHEVALIER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 250 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of ONE OF A KIND, causing that horse to be badly hampered and to shift out abruptly away from the heels of LUCKY CHEVALIER. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 31 January 2013 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). This suspension is to commence on Thursday, 24 January 2013. The Stewards ruled that this penalty was to be served consecutively with the penalty incurred for breaching the careless riding Rule in Race 3 on tonight’s programme. Near the 250 Metres, GOLDEN OSMANTHUS, which was giving ground, was awkwardly placed outside the heels of VERY WELL which itself was shifted out to avoid the heels of FLORA DANICA. Over the concluding stages, VERY WELL got its head on the side and shifted in towards the heels of FLORA DANICA. OPTIMIZATION STAR, which was shifting out to obtain clear running, was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of VERY WELL in consequence. As a result, VERY WELL was not able to be properly ridden out due to racing close to the heels of FLORA DANICA. Throughout the race, GOLDEN OSMANTHUS travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of VERY WELL, EASY GOLD and GOLDEN OSMANTHUS after the race did not show any significant findings. ONE OF A KIND and SUGAR PEGASUS were sent for sampling.