14/06/2017  Happy Valley  Race 2

GREAT JOY began awkwardly and lost ground. MUTUAL JOY shifted out at the start and bumped ACCLAIMED LIGHT. G-ONE UNION was crowded for room on jumping between VICTORY FOLLOW ME which began very awkwardly and shifted in abruptly and SPINNING DANCER which was taken out by AMAZING ALWAYS. In this incident, AMAZING ALWAYS became unbalanced after bumping SPINNING DANCER. After this, from the outside barrier, VICTORY FOLLOW ME was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After being ridden along for a short distance, G-ONE UNION was also steadied from a wide barrier and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, SPINNING DANCER was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1300 Metres was steadied to the rear of the field to obtain cover. GREAT JOY got its head up on a number of occasions passing the 1200 Metres when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PREMIUM CHAMPION. Passing the 900 Metres, a number of horses were ridden along to improve their positions which included VICTORY FOLLOW ME which for the remainder of the race travelled wide and without cover. After initially being directed to the outside of PREMIUM CHAMPION approaching the 800 Metres, GREAT JOY was then shifted back to the inside of that horse a short distance later due to PREMIUM CHAMPION shifting out. Passing the 800 Metres, G-ONE UNION, which was attempting to improve around ACCLAIMED LIGHT, was bumped by that horse which shifted out. W M Lai (PREMIUM CHAMPION) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching and passing the 400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of GREAT JOY, resulting in that horse being crowded for room and being checked after the 400 Metres. W M Lai was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 1 July 2017 and to expire on Monday, 10 July 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Lai’s good race riding record. Approaching the 100 Metres, ACCLAIMED LIGHT shifted in under pressure. Near the 75 Metres, G-ONE UNION was shifted out away from the heels of VICTORY FOLLOW ME to improve. G-ONE UNION then raced in restricted room over the concluding stages between VICTORY FOLLOW ME and SPINNING DANCER and passing the winning post had to be steadied when crowded for room inside SPINNING DANCER (U Rispoli) which shifted in. U Rispoli was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Approaching the 50 Metres, PREMIUM CHAMPION raced tight inside SEE ME NOW. At about the 25 Metres, ACCLAIMED LIGHT and AMAZING ALWAYS brushed. After the race, U Rispoli reported that SPINNING DANCER did not feel comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of SPINNING DANCER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, SPINNING DANCER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, Apprentice H N Wong (MUTUAL JOY) stated that the horse was left flat-footed in the middle stages and came under pressure prior to the 500 Metres. He said, despite being ridden out, MUTUAL JOY gave ground in the Straight and, in his opinion, raced "flat”. A veterinary inspection of MUTUAL JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GREAT JOY, MY BLESSING and ACCLAIMED LIGHT were sent for sampling.