21/09/2022  Happy Valley  Race 4

CIRCUIT ELITE lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected, bumped the outside of its gate and consequently lost ground. OWNERS’ STAR began only fairly. PASSING FASHION and SUCCESS ALLSTARS brushed on jumping. From the outside barriers, SUCCESS ALLSTARS, FORTUNE TRIPLE and REGENCY MASTER were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, PASSING FASHION was slow to muster speed and near the 1600 Metres was steadied to obtain cover. Approaching the 1600 Metres, WAH MAY LUCK shifted in, resulting in GO BALLISTIC being tightened for room and in turn shifting in and bumping SMART COUSIN. A Badel (WAH MAY LUCK) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching and passing the wining post on the first occasion he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of SMART COUSIN, resulting in that horse being unnecessarily hampered and having to be checked away from the heels of WAH MAY LUCK. A Badel was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 5 October 2022 and to expire on Monday, 10 October 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Badel was fined $30,000. After passing the winning post on the first occasion, GO BALLISTIC was left racing wide and without cover. After the 900 Metres, CIRCUIT ELITE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMART COUSIN and was shifted out and allowed to improve its position. When CIRCUIT ELITE shifted out, GO BALLISTIC was taken wider. GO BALLISTIC was then steadied and shifted in to obtain a trailing position behind CIRCUIT ELITE, however, was again left racing wide and without cover after the 700 Metres. OWNERS’ STAR was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn. Passing the 200 Metres, SUCCESS ALLSTARS shifted in when racing tight inside GRAND POWER and brushed WAH MAY LUCK. GRAND POWER then shifted in and bumped SUCCESS ALLSTARS approaching the 150 Metres. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SMART COUSIN, A Hamelin stated that his mount travelled well in the early and middle stages, however, when placed under pressure near the 600 Metres did not pick up as he thought it should. He said he had to ride his mount vigorously after the 600 Metres to maintain its position and then in the early part of the Straight SMART COUSIN commenced to weaken. He said he continued to ride SMART COUSIN along, however, the horse did not respond to his riding and was very disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of SMART COUSIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of SMART COUSIN, which finished at the rear of the field tonight in contrast to its most recent start when placed second and beaten a short margin, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SMART COUSIN 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 GO BALLISTIC immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CIRCUIT ELITE and LOYAL AMBITION were sent for sampling.