23/12/2020  Happy Valley  Race 5

On arrival at the Start, Apprentice K H Chan expressed concern regarding the action of JOLLY GOOD HEART. JOLLY GOOD HEART was examined by the Veterinary Officer and passed fit to race. VICTORIA GENERAL and STRONG ALLIANCE were slow to begin. JOLLY GOOD HEART began awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with REWARDING TOGETHER. From the outside barrier, LITTLE PLAYER was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Approaching the 1100 Metres, SKY CHAMPION was awkwardly placed outside the heels of WINNING WAYS when being steadied to obtain cover. CHAMP PATROL travelled wide and without cover from the 800 Metres. Passing the 300 Metres, VICTORIA GENERAL shifted out away from the heels of SKY CHAMPION which was directed out away from the heels of UNIVERSAL GO GO. VICTORIA GENERAL then raced tight for a short distance with WINNING WAYS approaching the 200 Metres. After leaving the 200 Metres, VICTORIA GENERAL got its head on the side, lay in and proved difficult to ride before being directed to the outside of FOCUS passing the 100 Metres to continue improving. C Soumillon (HERE COMES TED) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out under pressure when not clear of ONE HAPPY STAR, resulting in that horse being checked away from the heels of HERE COMES TED. C Soumillon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 3 February 2021 and to expire on Sunday, 7 February 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). A veterinary inspection of ONE HAPPY STAR immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ONE HAPPY STAR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that REWARDING TOGETHER was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, REWARDING TOGETHER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HERE COMES TED and REWARDING TOGETHER were sent for sampling.