28/05/2014  Happy Valley  Race 6

HEARTS KEEPER began awkwardly. SEASONS STAR shifted out at the start and bumped ALL GREAT FRIENDS which became unbalanced and in turn shifted out and bumped MERIDIAN TREASURE. BE THERE AHEAD, which was leaning on the inside of its stall, began awkwardly. ALL THE BEST also began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, VICTORIUS was taken across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1000 Metres, ALL GREAT FRIENDS momentarily raced in restricted room between SEASONS STAR and MERIDIAN TREASURE which got its head on the side and shifted in. When being steadied to obtain cover rounding the first turn, MI SAVVY got its head up and proved somewhat difficult to settle. After the 1000 Metres, ALL GREAT FRIENDS proved very difficult to settle. Approaching the 900 Metres, WATCH OUT became unbalanced when awkwardly placed close to the heels of BOTH SURE. At the 900 Metres, CHOICE TREASURE became unbalanced when being checked away from the heels of SEASONS STAR. MERIDIAN TREASURE lost its right front plate near the 900 Metres. Approaching the 800 Metres, ALL THE BEST, which was over-racing, was shifted in when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MI SAVVY and in doing so bumped BOTH SURE which became unbalanced. At the 700 Metres, ALL GREAT FRIENDS shifted in when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of MERIDIAN TREASURE, resulting in CHOICE TREASURE being momentarily crowded for room. Near the 600 Metres, BOTH SURE was checked when crowded for room between CHOICE TREASURE and MI SAVVY (K Teetan) which got its head on the side and shifted in abruptly across the heels of ALL GREAT FRIENDS which shifted out after being bumped by SEASONS STAR. ALL THE BEST, which was racing outside of BOTH SURE, was hampered in consequence. K Teetan was advised that whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the shift from MI SAVVY had been fairly abrupt, nonetheless he must ensure that he is quick to react to such shifts to prevent horses being interfered with. Passing the 500 Metres, ALL GREAT FRIENDS became unbalanced when tightened for room between HEARTS KEEPER and SEASONS STAR which, after shifting to the outside of MERIDIAN TREASURE, got its head on the side and lay out further. Over the concluding stages, ULTIMATE WINNERS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HEARTS KEEPER. Close to the finishing line, BE THERE AHEAD was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ALL GREAT FRIENDS. A Suborics (SEASONS STAR) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of CHOICE TREASURE, causing that horse to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled and to be checked.  A Suborics was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 23 June 2014 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 Sunday, 15 June 2014.  In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Jockey Suborics’ good race riding record during the current racing season. A veterinary inspection of CHOICE TREASURE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHOICE TREASURE, VICTORIUS and BOTH SURE were sent for sampling.