19/06/2013  Happy Valley  Race 3

After arriving at the saddling area, NAMJONG BLOSSOMS was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said the horse was lame in its right front leg and as such was not suitable to race. Acting on this advice, the Steward ordered the withdrawal of NAMJONG BLOSSOMS. Before being allowed to race again, NAMJONG BLOSSOMS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SMART KIDS began awkwardly and then despite being ridden along in the early stages was slow to muster speed and consequently raced back in the field. From the outside barrier, VICTORY GENERAL was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Shortly after the start, BRAVE BROTHER was steadied away from the heels of EXPEDITE which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. After being ridden along in the early stages, MEDIC KINGDOM was left racing wide making the first turn and after the 1000 Metres was taken across behind runners. A veterinary inspection of MEDIC KINGDOM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of MEDIC KINGDOM, which finished tailed out after racing wide and without cover for the majority of the race, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, MEDIC KINGDOM will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. OCEAN ROAR travelled keenly in the early and middle stages. At the entrance to the Straight, LOVELY BOY was shifted to the inside of the heels of CHINA POWER to obtain clear running. M L Yeung (NAUGHT BABY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 100 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in when not clear of CHINA POWER, causing that horse to be checked and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. M L Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 11 July 2013 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 Thursday, 4 July 2013. After this, NAUGHTY BABY continued to hang in, resulting in OCEAN ROAR being bumped and taken in onto LOVELY BOY which was also hampered. BRAVE BROTHER, which was racing to the inside of LOVELY BOY, was inconvenienced in consequence. NAUGHTY BABY continued to hang in badly for the remainder of the race. Having regard to NAUGHTY BABY’s prior history of hanging in its races and the fact that the horse had previously been barred on one occasion for hanging in, the Stewards ruled that NAUGHTY BABY must perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive official barrier trials under pressure before being allowed to race again. For the majority of the race, EXPEDITE travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of SMART KIDS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NAUGHTY BABY and LOVELY BOY were sent for sampling.