17/05/2017  Happy Valley  Race 3

HIGH VOLATILITY shifted in at the start, taking MISTER MONTE in onto EASY HEDGE which was hampered and in turn taken in onto RICKFIELD which was steadied away from the heels of ISTANBUL BEY. Near the 1500 Metres, BEAUTY LOVE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of HIGH VOLATILITY which was then shifted out to afford BEAUTY LOVE more racing room. K Teetan (EASY HEDGE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the winning post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of MISTER MONTE, resulting in that horse striking the heels of EASY HEDGE and faltering. K Teetan was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 11 June 2017 and to expire on Thursday, 15 June 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Teetan’s good race riding record. Following this incident, MISTER MONTE commenced to hang out, raced ungenerously for some distance and consequently was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 1000 Metres, BEAUTY LOVE commenced to race keenly and was shifted out off the heels of the leader HIGH VOLATILITY, resulting in EASY HEDGE being hampered and taken wider. Near the 500 Metres, as EASY HEDGE shifted out into a three wide position, both VICTORY BOYS (S Clipperton) and SHARP SAILOR commenced to improve into tight running to the inside of that horse. Then rounding the Home Turn, SHARP SAILOR was awkwardly placed between EASY HEDGE and VICTORY BOYS and at the 300 Metres had to be steadied when VICTORY BOYS shifted out slightly to improve. S Clipperton was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Passing the 100 Metres, HAPPY CONTENDER was steadied and shifted out across the heels of HIGH VOLATILITY to continue improving. When questioned regarding his riding of SHARP SAILOR in the middle stages and why he did not avail himself of a position on the rail behind BEAUTY LOVE, N Callan stated that when he had won on SHARP SAILOR over 2200 Metres on 22 December 2016, he had made a mid-race move and the horse had made a long sustained run. He said therefore in this event he elected to remain racing one horse off the rail behind EASY HEDGE in order to give himself the option of making a similar mid-race move if the pace were to slacken. He said however that the pace was relatively genuine and he was content to follow EASY HEDGE until making the turn near the 500 Metres where he endeavoured to improve to the outside of that horse. He said however that SHARP SAILOR was reluctant to shift out from behind EASY HEDGE and when EASY HEDGE shifted out into a three wide position soon afterwards, he then chose to improve inside that horse. He added however that SHARP SAILOR, which is one-paced, was not able to quicken with VICTORY BOYS which improved to its inside which resulted in SHARP SAILOR being left in an awkward position between those runners soon after straightening. A veterinary inspection of MISTER MONTE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of EASY HEDGE immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained abrasions to the right hock. Before being allowed to race again, EASY HEDGE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. VICTORY BOYS and HIGH VOLATILITY were sent for sampling.