17/06/2015  Happy Valley  Race 1

NATURAL EIGHT shifted in at the start and bumped KING OF SMARTS which in turn was crowded for room outside IDYLLIC WIND. GOOD SMILE shifted out abruptly at the start, resulting in NAMJONG SURPRISE being badly crowded for room out onto SIR JOHN which became unbalanced when bumped heavily by NAMJONG SURPRISE. From an outside barrier, DANEWIN TIGER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance after the 900 Metres, WINNING BOY was awkwardly placed inside KING OF SMARTS which got its head on the side and lay in. B Prebble (SIR JOHN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 700 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of ORIENTAL FANTASIA, causing that horse to be unnecessarily hampered when having to be steadied away from the heels of SIR JOHN. B Prebble was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 13 July 2015 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, 5 July 2015. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Jockey Prebble’s good race riding record during the most recent 2013/2014 and current racing seasons. Making the first turn after the 600 Metres, IDYLLIC WIND got its head on the side and lay out towards the heels of ORIENTAL FANTASIA. CHINA GOOD, which was following, shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence, resulting in WINNING BOY racing tight inside KING OF SMARTS. Rounding the Home Turn, KING OF SMARTS was bumped on the hindquarters by WINNING BOY which shifted out. Then at the entrance to the Straight, WINNING BOY was hampered when crowded by KING OF SMARTS which shifted in when unbalanced. Near the 250 Metres, WINNING BOY raced tight inside KING OF SMARTS. For the majority of the race, ALWAYS WONDERFUL and GOOD SMILE travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Z Purton stated that despite being ridden along, NATURAL EIGHT did not have sufficient early speed over the 1000 Metres of tonight’s race. He said rather than racing unnecessarily wide, he steadied his mount after the 700 Metres to obtain a positon closer to the rail. He said after shifting in to a three wide position behind KING OF SMARTS, he commenced to ride his mount along, however, NATURAL EIGHT responded only briefly and then gave ground in the Straight. He added the manner in which NATURAL EIGHT raced tonight indicated to him that the horse is best suited by races further than the 1000 Metres of tonight’s race. A veterinary inspection of NATURAL EIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of NAMJONG SURPRISE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SIR JOHN and IDYLLIC WIND were sent for sampling.