26/12/2024  Happy Valley  Race 6

SKY FOREVER (E414): Shortly after the start was bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced. For some distance in the early stages over-raced and refused to settle. Crowded near the 1000 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have bled from both nostrils. As this was the second occasion that SKY FOREVER had bled, the horse is permanently barred from any further racing. HAPPY DAY (G119): L Hewitson (GLORY B) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out when not clear of GIMME FIVE, resulting in GIMME FIVE being taken out onto TOGEPI, resulting in TOGEPI taking TOP TIME out and causing HAPPY DAY to be checked to avoid the heels of TOP TIME. L Hewitson was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 15 January 2025 at Happy Valley. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his excellent race riding record. VIEW OF THE WORLD (J348): Sent for sampling post-race. TOP TIME (K006): Hampered near the 150 Metres. EXUBERANT (E282): No report. STORM RUNNER (J452): Shifted out on jumping and was bumped. ZETTA FORCE (J546): Shortly after the start was checked when crowded between SKY FOREVER and LUCKY GENERATIONS which was taken out by GIMME FIVE which shifted out after making contact with STORM RUNNER which shifted out slightly. Crowded near the 1000 Metres. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on ZETTA FORCE at the request of Trainer T P Yung. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ZETTA FORCE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY GENERATIONS (J338): At declaration time, H Bentley was declared as the rider of both STORM RUNNER and LUCKY GENERATIONS. It was established that H Bentley had a firm commitment to ride LUCKY GENERATIONS. As such, the Stewards permitted M F Poon to be substituted as the rider of STORM RUNNER. For this declaration error, H Bentley was fined $2,000. Crowded shortly after the start. M L Yeung (TOGEPI) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1000 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in, resulting in SKY FOREVER, which was racing keenly to its inside, being taken in, crowding the running of ZETTA FORE, resulting in LUCKY GENERATIONS being badly crowded for room and having to be checked. M L Yeung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 15 January 2025 and to expire on Monday, 20 January 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his good race riding record. SWEET DIAMOND (G063): No report. GIMME FIVE (J099): Bumped on jumping, shifted out and became unbalanced when it made contact with LUCKY GENERATIONS. Taken wider near the 150 Metres by GLORY B which shifted out. Noted to have sustained mild abrasions to the left hind leg. TOGEPI (G458): M L Yeung pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 1000 Metres (see LUCKY GENERATIONS). Hampered near the 150 Metres. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. GLORY B (H373): L Hewitson pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 150 Metres (see HAPPY DAY). After the event, L Hewitson stated that the intention was to find cover on his mount. He said with the hood being removed tonight, GLORY B jumped well and was able to go forward and race outside the lead, particularly in circumstances where the early pace of the event was run outside of standard time. Sent for sampling post-race.