05/02/2025  Happy Valley  Race 3

SKY JEWELLERY (K032): When questioned, H Bowman stated that his instructions from a wide barrier were to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages. He added he was given no specific instructions thereafter as to where to position SKY JEWELLERY. He said as a result from a wide barrier he elected to settle SKY JEWELLERY towards the back of the field in the early stages in accordance with his instructions. He said from the 600 Metres his intention was to improve to the outside of COSMO NAVIGATOR to follow PRIME MORTAR with the view to shifting to PRIME MORTAR’S outside in the Home Straight, to ensure his mount was given clear and uninterrupted running. He said as he commenced to shift out from the 500 Metres PRIME MORTAR which had raced very wide and without cover commenced to give ground which resulted in SKY JEWELLERY then being positioned to the inside of PRIME MORTAR making the Home turn and unable to shift to that runner’s outside. Jockey Bowman added that on straightening he then attempted to obtain clear running between GOOD PROSPECT and GREAT SPIRIT, however, when GOOD PROSPECT shifted out he was then obliged to shift to that runner’s inside where he was able to commence to ride his mount along. He said after the 250 Metres SKY JEWELLERY then became badly held up behind TAIHANG SCENERY and as a result did not obtain clear running until after the 100 Metres where it ran home strongly. When questioned if there was an opportunity to shift out near the 500 Metres to follow PRIME MORTAR before that runner commenced to give ground, Jockey Bowman stated that having regard to his mount being inexperienced and carrying top weight of 135 lbs, he was reluctant to do so. Trainer J Size confirmed the instructions issued. After considering his explanation, the Stewards advised Jockey Bowman that, in their opinion, leaving the 500 Metres he would have been advantaged by immediately shifting to the outside of COSMO NAVIGATOR to follow PRIME MORTAR which would have prevented SKY JEWELLERY from improving to the inside of PRIME MORTAR and providing clear running in the Home Straight. However, the Stewards were not of the view that his riding after the 500 Metres was unreasonable having regard to the explanation that he provided. Sent for sampling post-race. MEGA BONUS (E184): No report. PRIME MORTAR (G328): After the event, Y L Chung stated that his instructions were to go forward but his mount did not show sufficient pace to cross runners to his inside. He said as a consequence PRIME MORTAR raced very wide and without cover for the majority of the event before giving ground in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TAIHANG SCENERY (J314): Bumped at the start. In the early stages raced keenly and for some distance near the 1000 Metres got its head up when racing in restricted room between COSMO NAVIGATOR and GLORY B which shifted out slightly. After the event, H Bentley reported that his mount raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages and refused to settle. He said when placed under pressure in the Home Straight TAIHANG SCENERY hung in and did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BITS SUPERSTAR (J362): Raced wide and without cover from the 600 Metres. GREAT SPIRIT (J155): Near the 200 Metres was held up for clear running behind GLORY B. SUPER CHARIZZARD (J184): When questioned regarding his riding, L Ferraris stated that his instructions were to take up a position outside the expected leader MEGA BONUS. He said in the early stages he was obliged to make some use of SUPER CHARIZZARD to cross runners to his inside and as a result SUPER CHARIZZARD was positioned slightly in advance of MEGA BONUS when he obtained a position outside the lead near the 800 Metres. He said as he was positioned slightly in advance of MEGA BONUS he elected to allow SUPER CHARIZZARD to continue forward to cross that runner as he felt it would be a disadvantage to remain racing slightly in advance of MEGA BONUS. He said after crossing MEGA BONUS he then encouraged his mount to improve from that point and after initially responding gave ground in the Home Straight. After considering his explanation, Jockey Ferraris was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, his best option would have been to remain racing to the outside of MEGA BONUS and secondly that once he allowed SUPER CHARIZZARD to stride forward of that runner, he should have provided his mount with the opportunity to travel comfortably at that stage rather than continuing to urge his mount forward. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. COSMO NAVIGATOR (H156): Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. GOOD PROSPECT (J406): For some distance near the 250 Metres was held up for clear running. When placed under pressure thereafter lay in. Sent for sampling post-race. GLORY B (H373): Bumped at the start. Making the first turn after the 1000 Metres got its head up when being steadied to allow MEGA BONUS to cross. Sent for sampling post-race. THE PRIME (J352): Shortly after the start was eased when taken out by SUPER CHARIZZARD. THE PRIME was then shifted across behind runners from its wide barrier in the early stages. ISLAND GOLDEN (H018): Jumped only fairly and despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position.