22/11/2017  Happy Valley  Race 6

MY BEGINNER’S LUCK was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, MY BEGINNER’S LUCK will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GENERAL IRON shifted out at the start and bumped MAGIC AGILITY. Then from the outside barriers, both GENERAL IRON and MAGIC AGILITY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Also from a wide barrier, AFFLUENCE START was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Shortly after the start, MERRYGOWIN raced in restricted room between BLAZE STAMINA and STORM SIGNAL which shifted in. After travelling a short distance, STORM SIGNAL and JADE THEATRE bumped. Making the turn after the 1100 Metres, YOUNG EMPIRE shifted in and bumped LUCKY MASTER. After the 1000 Metres, DIAMOND MASTER commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of STORM SIGNAL. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, STORM SIGNAL was steadied away from the heels of YOUNG EMPIRE (N Callan) which shifted in before being directed back out to relieve the tightening to STORM SIGNAL. N Callan was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside. Near the 200 Metres, STORM SIGNAL shifted out and bumped SIR REDALOT, causing both horses to become unbalanced. T Berry (STORM SIGNAL) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of DIAMOND MASTER, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled after DIAMOND MASTER raced tight inside BLAZE STAMINA which shifted in marginally before being corrected by its rider. T Berry was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 13 December 2017 and to expire on Monday, 18 December 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the slight contribution from BLAZE STAMINA to this incident. N Callan (YOUNG EMPIRE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of STORM SIGNAL, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. N Callan was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 13 December 2017 and to expire on Monday, 18 December 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, N Callan was fined $15,000. C Schofield (JADE THEATRE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 175 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of MERRYGOWIN, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 13 December 2017 and to expire on Monday, 18 December 2017 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Schofield’s good race riding record. The performance of LUCKY MASTER, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY MASTER will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of DIAMOND MASTER and LUCKY MASTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MERRYGOWIN, SIR REDALOT and AFFLUENCE START were sent for sampling.