06/05/2015  Happy Valley  Race 8

SICHUAN VIGOUR was crowded for room on jumping between SUNNY YING and FAT CHOY HONG KONG which shifted out. Shortly after the start, ROMANTIC TOUCH was crowded for room between ANTICIPATION which shifted in and SANTA FE SUN which shifted out after initially being taken out by OBLITERATOR. From wide barriers, BRILLIANT SHINE, AMAZINGLY and FORMULA WON were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 1050 Metres, SUNNY YING got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied away from the heels of FAT CHOY HONG KONG which was racing close to the heels of TWIN DELIGHT as the tempo of the race slackened. SICHUAN VIGOUR, which was following SUNNY YING, got its head up when being steadied in consequence. REGENCY KING, SANTA FE SUN and ROMANTIC TOUCH were also restrained at this stage. REGENCY KING then continued to prove very difficult to settle for some distance when awkwardly placed close to the heels of OBLITERATOR. Near the 850 Metres, AMAZINGLY got its head up when being checked away from the heels of BRILLIANT SHINE. ROMANTIC TOUCH made the Home Turn awkwardly and shifted out. FORMULA WON, which was following, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Passing the 400 Metres, BRILLIANT SHINE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SICHUAN VIGOUR. At the entrance to the Straight, SANTA FE SUN was inconvenienced by BRILLIANT SHINE which shifted out to obtain clear running. Apprentice K C Ng (FAT CHOY HONG KONG) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that for some distance approaching the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out under pressure, resulting in OBLITERATOR clipping the heels of FAT CHOY HONG KONG near the 200 Metres and blundering. Apprentice Ng was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday, 4 June 2015 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, 24 May 2015. SICHUAN VIGOUR was held up for clear running passing the 100 Metres and for some distance after this raced in restricted room when improving into tight running between SUNNY YING and TWIN DELIGHT. Throughout the race, ANTICIPATION travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Apprentice K C Ng stated that he had been asked to lead on FAT CHOY HONG KONG as that horse had been successful two starts ago when able to dictate the terms of the race. He said despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, TWIN DELIGHT showed more speed than FAT CHOY HONG KONG and as the tempo of the race was strong, he elected to allow that horse to cross FAT CHOY HONG KONG near the 1200 Metres. He said when TWIN DELIGHT was steadied after obtaining the lead, he shifted FAT CHOY HONG KONG to the outside of that horse and after the 900 Metres was racing beside that horse. He added when TWIN DELIGHT continued to be steadied and due to FAT CHOY HONG KONG travelling strongly at this time, he was not able to maintain the position slightly behind TWIN DELIGHT which resulted in FAT CHOY HONG KONG improving its position to be racing just in advance of and outside of TWIN DELIGHT. A veterinary inspection of SANTA FE SUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TWIN DELIGHT, REGENCY KING and BRILLIANT SHINE were sent for sampling.