23/01/2013  Happy Valley  Race 6

MAKE IT began awkwardly and shortly after the start blundered. MAGNUMOUS also began awkwardly. For some distance after leaving the 1000 Metres, QUANTUM POWER got its head up and proved difficult to settle. In the early part of the Straight, MAKE IT was awkwardly placed outside the heels of MAGNUMOUS which shifted out. Then passing the 200 Metres, MAKE IT was again awkwardly placed outside the heels of MAGNUMOUS which got its head on the side and continued to shift out under pressure. Throughout the race, SMART KIDS travelled wide and without cover. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred passing the 200 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether LOADS OF JOY (W C Marwing) should be declared the 2nd placegetter of the race. Subsequently, Z Purton, the rider of GENUINE LEADER, 3rd placegetter, also lodged a protest/objection against LOADS OF JOY being declared 2nd placegetter alleging interference to his mount approaching and passing the 200 Metres. After taking evidence from all the parties concerned and after viewing the videos, the Stewards found that near the 250 Metres GENUINE LEADER improved its position to be racing between RIDE ON THE FIRE and LOADS OF JOY. It was further established that passing the 200 Metres GENUINE LEADER was steadied and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled when crowded for room inside LOADS OF JOY which shifted in. After this, GENUINE LEADER, when shifted to the outside of the heels of LOADS OF JOY, finished off the race strongly. Having in mind the amount of ground lost by GENUINE LEADER in the incident and the manner in which both horses finished off the race, the Stewards were comfortably satisfied that had GENUINE LEADER been able to maintain its position between RIDE ON THE FIRE and LOADS OF JOY that it would have finished in front of LOADS OF JOY. Accordingly, they sustained the protest/objection and amended the placings to read No. 2, SUNNY FAY, 1st; No. 1, GENUINE LEADER, 2nd; No. 10, LOADS OF JOY, 3rd and No. 3, HANDSOME HANDSOME, 4th. At a subsequent inquiry, W C Marwing pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] and was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Wednesday, 13 February 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, 2 February 2013. GENUINE LEADER, SUNNY FAY and LOADS OF JOY were sent for sampling.