21/09/2022  Happy Valley  Race 8

M M NEBULA began awkwardly. CORDYCEPS ONE and DURHAM STAR bumped on jumping. CORDYCEPS ONE was then steadied a short distance after the start when crowded for room between DURHAM STAR and HARMONY N HOME which, after being bumped on the hindquarters by CORDYCEPS ONE, became unbalanced and shifted out. In this incident, DURHAM STAR also became unbalanced after being bumped by JUMBO LEGEND which shifted in. TURIN WARRIOR shifted in at the start and hampered MELBOURNE HALL. From the outside barriers, TRIUMPHANT RETURN and OCTOCONNECT were steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 1050 Metres, M M NEBULA commenced to travel keenly and got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GANG OF BROTHERS which was being steadied to obtain cover behind COLONEL. After being ridden along to obtain a forward position from a wide barrier in the early stages, WOOD ON FIRE travelled wide and without cover until the 700 Metres. After the 1000 Metres, TURIN WARRIOR was steadied to obtain a trailing position behind TRIUMPHANT RETURN when racing wide. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, JUMBO LEGEND shifted in and bumped the running rail and became unbalanced. H Bentley, the rider of 5th placegetter, HARMONY N HOME, pleaded guilty to a charge of having failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards [Rule 100(2)]. H Bentley was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 12 October 2022 and to expire on Monday, 17 October 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). A veterinary inspection of WOOD ON FIRE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DURHAM STAR and GANG OF BROTHERS were sent for sampling.