06/09/2017  Happy Valley  Race 8

VERBINSKY was withdrawn on 5.9.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HEROIC GURU (Apprentice H N Wong). Before being allowed to race again, VERBINSKY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. COUNTRY MELODY and DUKEDOM bumped at the start. MR GENUINE and HEROIC GURU were steadied shortly after the start and shifted across behind runners. A short distance after the start, LUCKY EVER was awkwardly placed outside the heels of ALMABABY which shifted out. Making the first turn near the 1000 Metres, JETWINGS was hampered when crowded for room between COUNTRY MELODY which shifted out momentarily and PERPETUAL JOYANCE which got its head on the side and shifted in away from FLYING TOURBILLON. Approaching the 800 Metres, PERPETUAL JOYANCE shifted in after being awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLYING TOURBILLON and hampered COUNTRY MELODY. JETWINGS and MR GENUINE, which were following, were also hampered in consequence. Near the 750 Metres, PERPETUAL JOYANCE was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 150 Metres, DUKEDOM was shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY DOLLAR. Apprentice M F Poon (MR GENUINE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure when not clear of LUCKY EVER which contributed to that horse being severely checked between MR GENUINE and PERPETUAL JOYANCE which shifted out marginally. Apprentice Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 20 September 2017 and to expire on Monday, 25 September 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that the interference to LUCKY EVER had been exacerbated by a marginal shift out from PERPETUAL JOYANCE to the inside of LUCKY EVER. When questioned regarding his riding of MR GENUINE in the Straight, Apprentice M F Poon stated that he had been instructed to make the Home Turn with cover if possible and immediately shift MR GENUINE to the outside of runners to finish off the race. He said it was explained to him that MR GENUINE does not possess a sustained sprint and therefore obtaining cover rounding the Home Turn would provide the horse with the best opportunity to finish off the race. He said after following LUCKY EVER into the Home Straight, he shifted MR GENUINE to the outside of that horse, balanced it up and then commenced to ride it vigorously. He said his riding of MR GENUINE was inconvenienced by the horse wanting to shift in under pressure which resulted in him having to stop riding and straighten MR GENUINE after the 100 Metres. He added he then attempted to continue riding MR GENUINE out, however, over the concluding stages he was again aware that the horse was shifting inwards and therefore attempted to correct MR GENUINE by applying pressure on the left rein to ensure that the horse did not continue to shift in towards FLYING TOURBILLON. He said this resulted in him becoming unbalanced and not being able to fully ride the horse out to the best of his ability over the concluding stages. Apprentice Poon was advised that he must ride his mounts with sufficient vigour and purpose to ensure that his riding is not open to query. Apprentice Poon, in the presence of his allocated trainer, Mr D J Hall, was also shown the video of his riding out of the horse over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of JETWINGS immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY MARVEL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CONVINCIBLE and ALMABABY were sent for sampling. <7/9/2017 Additional Veterinary Report>The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that LUCKY EVER was lame in its right front fetlock on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY EVER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.