07/12/2016  Happy Valley  Race 6

ARM RUNDA was withdrawn on 6.12.16 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (pyrexia and blood abnormality). Before being allowed to race again, ARM RUNDA will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From wide barriers, COUR VALANT and JUNZI were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Passing the 1100 Metres, HAPPY GAINS got its head up for some distance when being steadied to obtain a position with cover behind UNIQUE JOYFUL. Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, COUR VALANT was awkwardly placed behind VICTOR EMPEROR. Approaching the 900 Metres, UNIQUE JOYFUL got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of WONDERFUL FIGHTER. For some distance after this, UNIQUE JOYFUL continued to prove very difficult to settle. After the 700 Metres, SMART SALUTE was left racing wide and without cover. G Lerena (BREEDERS’ STAR) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that for some distance approaching and passing the 600 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of WONDERFUL FIGHTER, resulting in that horse being taken in onto HAYMAKER, causing those horses to be unnecessarily crowded for room and for HAYMAKER to be checked making the turn after the 600 Metres and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. VICTOR EMPEROR and COUR VALANT were hampered in consequence. G Lerena was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence immediately and to expire on Thursday, 15 December 2016 on which he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Lerena’s good race riding record. Passing the 600 Metres, HAPPY GAINS, which was travelling keenly, was steadied away from the heels of KIROV. At the 100 Metres, JUNZI was shifted out away from the heels of BREEDERS’ STAR which shifted in under pressure. Over the final 75 Metres, COUR VALANT raced tight inside the heels of BREEDERS’ STAR which continued to shift in under pressure. Close to the finishing line, VICTOR EMPEROR was steadied away from the heels of COUR VALANT. Also close to the finishing line, JUNZI was awkwardly placed inside the heels of UNIQUE JOYFUL. A veterinary inspection of HAYMAKER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WONDERFUL FIGHTER and VERY RICH MAN were sent for sampling.