22/10/2014  Happy Valley  Race 4

Shortly after the start, PEPPERMINT and PLAIN BLUE BANNER, which began awkwardly, lost ground when badly crowded for room inside VERDANE which, after shifting in despite the efforts of its rider, then shifted in further after becoming unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by PLAIN BLUE BANNER. GREAT SPEED began awkwardly. LOVING STAR was slow to begin. From a wide barrier, COLOURFUL PROFIT was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1500 Metres, GREAT SPEED lost its left front plate. Y T Cheng (DASHING SUPER) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the winning post on the first occasion he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in, resulting in CANNY FRANCO being heavily bumped and becoming unbalanced when crowded for room between DASHING SUPER and ZACHARY which also became unbalanced after being bumped by CANNY FRANCO. Y T Cheng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 10 November 2014 (3 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 26 October 2014. In the unique circumstances of this case, the Stewards ruled that this period of suspension is to be served concurrently with a period of suspension imposed upon Jockey Cheng prior to tonight’s racemeeting. Approaching the 1000 Metres, CANNY FRANCO was left racing wide and without cover. Also approaching the 1000 Metres, GREAT SPEED was momentarily crowded for room inside ZACHARY which was steadied away from the heels of DASHING SUPER which shifted in. Approaching the 600 Metres, LOVING STAR raced tight between COLOURFUL PROFIT and PLAIN BLUE BANNER (D Whyte) which shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY PIONEER. Then making the turn near the 550 Metres, LOVING STAR was checked when crowded for room between COLOURFUL PROFIT which shifted in slightly and PLAIN BLUE BANNER which was taken out marginally by LUCKY PIONEER which made the turn awkwardly. D Whyte was advised that whilst there were some circumstances in this incident, nonetheless his initial shift outwards had resulted in LOVING STAR racing in restricted room. D Whyte was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for other runners in similar circumstances. Passing the 400 Metres, LUCKY PIONEER was shifted out away from the heels of DASHING SUPER which was giving ground. Rounding the Home Turn, GLOBAL FAME became unbalanced when improving inside DASHING SUPER which was continuing to give ground. At the entrance to the Straight, PEPPERMINT was steadied when held up for clear running behind LUCKY PIONEER and the tiring DASHING SUPER. A veterinary inspection of DASHING SUPER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DASHING SUPER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, DASHING SUPER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VERDANE and PLAIN BLUE BANNER were sent for sampling.