19/06/2013  Happy Valley  Race 8

At declaration time, T Angland was declared as the rider of both HAPPY ERA and PERFECT CHEERS. It was established that T Angland had a firm commitment to ride HAPPY ERA. As such, the Stewards permitted W C Marwing to be substituted as the rider of PERFECT CHEERS. For this declaration error, Trainer C Fownes was fined $2,000. FLYING UNICORN began awkwardly. From wide barriers, GALAXY PRANCER, VITAL GOLD and JUN GONG were all taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, LITTLE DREAMS was steadied away from the heels of WAH MAY STAR which shifted in. After the 1100 Metres, PERFECT CHEERS was left racing wide and without cover and was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead. Approaching the 900 Metres, NOBLE DELUXE got its head up when proving difficult to settle. Passing the 900 Metres, WAH MAY STAR commenced to race fiercely and had to be checked away from the heels of FAMILISTS for some distance. Passing the 800 Metres, LITTLE DREAMS was left racing wide and without cover. GALAXY PRANCER made the Home Turn awkwardly. Rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, JUN GONG got its head on the side, hung in and proved difficult to ride. O Doleuze (VITAL GOLD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LITTLE DREAMS, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. O Doleuze was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 11 July 2013 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Monday, 1 July 2013. In addition, O Doleuze was fined $40,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. For some distance approaching and passing the 100 Metres, HAPPY ERA raced in restricted room inside FLYING UNICORN. Then approaching the 50 Metres, HAPPY ERA had to be steadied when unable to maintain its position inside FLYING UNICORN (C K Tong) which shifted in under pressure. Because of this, HAPPY ERA was not able to be tested over the concluding stages. C K Tong was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. GALAXY PRANCER was not able to obtain clear running over the concluding stages and because of this was not able to be tested. After the race, T Berry (FUN RIDER) said that his mount did not stretch out when placed under pressure in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of FUN RIDER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that JUN GONG had lost its right front plate. A veterinary inspection of WAH MAY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY ERA, PERFECT CHEERS and FLYING UNICORN were sent for sampling.