18/12/2013  Happy Valley  Race 2

GREAT AND BEYOND was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore foot). Before being allowed to race again, GREAT AND BEYOND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From the outside barrier, HEI HEI POSH was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, BACKBENCH BLUES shifted in marginally and bumped the hindquarters of LUCKY OMENS, resulting in both horses becoming badly unbalanced and losing ground. Passing the 800 Metres, HEI HEI POSH was taken wider by BACKBENCH BLUES which was also taken wider by RIDE WITH THE WIND which shifted out from behind JAMESINA. K Teetan (HEI HEI POSH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 550 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LUCKY OMENS, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. K Teetan was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 16 January 2014 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 Sunday, 5 January 2014. Rounding the Home Turn, LUCKY OMENS, which had its head on the side when laying in, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JAMESINA. In the early part of the Straight, LUCKY OMENS continued to lay in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of JAMESINA. Passing the 200 Metres, LUCKY OMENS was steadied when disappointed for running between JAMESINA and BACKBENCH BLUES, both of which shifted slight ground. For a considerable distance after this, LUCKY OMENS was then unable to obtain clear running and because of this was not able to be properly tested. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY OMENS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. LUCKY OMENS, RIDE WITH THE WIND and HEI HEI POSH were sent for sampling.