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Joy turns to discontent after Lai cops hefty fine

Ricky Yiu Poon-fai made the overnight dash home from watching Dynamic Blitz in Dubai worthwhile and an impressive win from Jade Molly in the Pok Oi Cup (1,200m) wiped away any of the trainer's weariness from the long flight.

Winning jockey Alex Lai Hoi-wing was also elated with the success, but was soon brought back to earth as stewards handed him a three-meeting suspension and HK$35,000 fine after the meeting's conclusion last night.

Lai was joined by fellow jockey Weichong Marwing, who won the second on Star Legend, on the suspended list, with the South African also copping a HK$35,000 fine for his indiscretion.

Yiu was not disappointed with Dynamic Blitz's run in Dubai, but he was disappointed with the result after his star sprinter was squeezed up in the early stages and never really found top gear in the straight.

'I think the Tapeta surface last night was a different one to that which he won on last start,' Yiu said. 'They were running much slower times, and I think perhaps it did not suit him as much.'

There were no excuses required for the win of Jade Molly and Yiu and Lai were excited about the future for their recent acquisition, who has made only two starts in Hong Kong.

'He had three good runs on wet tracks overseas before he arrived, so the little bit of moisture in the track today was only going to help,' Lai said. 'We were able to set the pace as we liked, and in the long term I think he will be best at a mile, so there was no danger he would run out of steam.

'He has some further improvement in him fitness-wise, he was probably only 80 per cent wound-up today after his two-month break since his debut. We have done plenty of work with him since then, and the most pleasing aspect is the way he seems to really enjoy his Hong Kong life.'

Lai was suspended for his ride on runner-up Super Bobo in the Sha Tin Hoi Handicap and will be out from April 14 to April 26, while Marwing was outed for careless riding on Mighty Feeling in the sixth and will miss the meetings set down for April 17 and 20.

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