Rake stops races in Hong Kong

For the first time in memory, a race in Hong Kong was voided on Wednesday when a rake became jammed in the starting stalls mechanism.

Of the 12 stalls in use at Happy Valley, only three opened correctly and it was later discovered that a rake used for remedial work on the track had been left leaning against the starting stalls and become caught up in the starting mechanism, causing the stalls to open in three stages.

The stewards deliberated for 10 minutes over the the evidence, with the media even called into the stewards' room to view the footage before the race was declared void.

Chief steward Kim Kelly told the South China Morning Post: "Given the number of horses which had their chances prejudiced, we felt it was appropriate to declare the race void."

Leading trainer John Moore added: "I've been here as long as most, over 40 years, and I've never seen a 'no race' in Hong Kong."

Seven days earlier racing had proceeded without a hitch at Happy Valley despite more than 300mm of rain having fallen on the track.