18/11/2020  Happy Valley  Race 1

GALAXY EMPEROR began awkwardly and then lost ground when bumped by GREAT HARVEST which shifted in abruptly. VEGA RHYTHM shifted in at the start and bumped TINKER BELLE on a number of occasions. After this, both VEGA RHYTHM and TINKER BELLE were steadied to obtain cover. FOR FUN’S SAKE lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, KA YING BRILLIANCE was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Near the 1150 Metres, ROMAN IMPERO and YEE CHEONG LUCKY made contact. Making the turn near the 1050 Metres, GALAXY EMPEROR became unbalanced when reluctant to maintain its position inside YEE CHEONG LUCKY. When left racing three wide and without cover making the turn after the 1000 Metres, JIMSON THE DRAGON was steadied by its rider in an attempt to obtain cover behind GREAT HARVEST, however, travelled keenly and because of this was not able to be steadied and travelled wide and without cover throughout. Near the 450 Metres, ONE STEP AHEAD was awkwardly placed inside the heels of ROMAN IMPERO when improving into tight running between that horse and FOR FUN’S SAKE. Near the 250 Metres, FOR FUN’S SAKE was shifted to the inside of GALAXY EMPEROR when unable to proceed between that horse which shifted out and ONE STEP AHEAD which was shifted in away from the heels of JIMSON THE DRAGON (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted in when giving ground. In this incident, ONE STEP AHEAD was steadied and shifted to the inside of GALAXY EMPEROR to obtain clear running. Apprentice Wong was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Apprentice K H Chan (GREAT HARVEST) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 50 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure when not clear of YEE CHEONG LUCKY, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. Apprentice Chan was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 9 December 2020 and to expire on Monday, 14 December 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). Over the concluding stages, VEGA RHYTHM was steadied away from the heels of FOR FUN’S SAKE which was racing tight inside GREAT HARVEST which hung in and proved difficult to ride. After the race, it was noted that MASTER GALAXY had blood present at the left nostril. The Veterinary Officer said an endoscopic examination confirmed the horse to be a bleeder. A veterinary inspection of TINKER BELLE, KA YING BRILLIANCE and JIMSON THE DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MASTER GALAXY and GALAXY EMPEROR were sent for sampling.