13/05/2015  Happy Valley  Race 3

REAL GENEROUS was slow to begin and then shortly after the start was shifted in away from the heels of WINNING MASCOT. ABLE TALENT began awkwardly. GALAXY PRANCER was crowded for room on jumping between WINNING APEX and UNIQUE HAPPIEST, both of which shifted ground. From wide barriers, WINNING MASCOT and VARA PEARL were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Z Purton (GREAT TOPLIGHT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the winning post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of FOODIE, resulting in that horse being taken in across the rightful running of ABLE TALENT, causing that horse to be checked. Z Purton 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. In addition, Z Purton was fined $60,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating 1 further raceday. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, GREAT TOPLIGHT and ROCK THE TREE raced tight. Making the turns, ABLE TALENT got its head on the side and lay out. Passing the 1000 Metres, GREAT TOPLIGHT got its head up when awkwardly placed behind TWIN TURBO. GREAT TOPLIGHT lost its left hind plate near the 700 Metres. Passing the 400 Metres, ROCK THE TREE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING APEX. Near the 300 Metres, WINNING APEX and GREAT TOPLIGHT bumped due to both horses shifting ground. For some distance after this, WINNING APEX and GREAT TOPLIGHT raced tight due to GREAT TOPLIGHT being shifted in away from the heels of UNIQUE HAPPIEST. At the 100 Metres, UNIQUE HAPPIEST shifted out and brushed TWIN TURBO. Passing the 100 Metres, WINNING APEX raced tight between GREAT TOPLIGHT and ROCK THE TREE which shifted out marginally. D Whyte (VARA PEARL) was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels to the end of the race where circumstances permit. When questioned, K Teetan stated that as RED COURAGE was racing over 1650 Metres for the first time, he had been asked to attempt to obtain a forward position on the horse, but not to ride his mount along as it may over-race stepping up in distance. He said in accordance with his instructions he allowed RED COURAGE to shift across to race outside runners passing the winning post on the first occasion, however, near the 1300 Metres was left racing in a position three wide and without cover. He said although the tempo of the race in the early stages was not fast, he was reluctant to press forward on RED COURAGE in an attempt to cross TWIN TURBO due to his instructions not to have the horse over-racing and for the fact that he was of the opinion, due to the tempo of the race, the rider of TWIN TURBO would not allow RED COURAGE to cross without him having to make considerable use of it to do so. He added therefore he felt his best option was to remain racing in a three wide position without cover and have RED COURAGE balanced and not over-racing. UNIQUE HAPPIEST, FOODIE and ROCK THE TREE were sent for sampling.