05/02/2025  Happy Valley  Race 9

WINGS OF WAR (H162): After the event, H Bentley reported that his mount was disadvantaged by racing wide and without cover for the majority of the event and as a result did not run on in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GUSTOSISIMO (J303): When the pace steadied leaving the 500 Metres commenced to race keenly and was checked away from HAPPY FAT CAT. A Hamelin (HAPPY FAT CAT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he allowed his mount to shift out whilst riding it along, contributing to GUSTOSISIMO being badly crowded for room and losing its rightful running. A Hamelin was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Sunday, 23 February 2025 at Sha Tin. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 3 and the consequences grade 2, also considered his very good race riding record and the contribution from SUPER JOY N FUN shifting in. C L Chau (SUPER JOY N FUN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he allowed his mount to shift in whilst riding it along, contributing to GUSTOSISIMO being badly crowded for room and losing its rightful running. C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 and to expire on Monday, 10 March 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 3 and the consequences grade 2, also considered his very poor race riding record and the contribution from HAPPY FAT CAT shifting out. Sent for sampling post-race. KYRUS DRAGON (H396): Leaving the 500 Metres was steadied away from GUSTOSISIMO. Over the final 200 Metres was unable to obtain clear running when positioned behind and to the inside of GUSTOSISIMO. NORDIC DRAGON (G467): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. VIEW OF THE WORLD (J348): Raced keenly when being shifted in to obtain cover in the middle stages. After the event, Z Purton stated that he was given on specific instructions but from a wide barrier he was obliged to settle slightly back in the field to obtain cover behind WINGS OF WAR. He added that, in his opinion, VIEW OF THE WORLD was not suited by the backing up from its last start on 22 January 2025 and performs best when its runs are spaced. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EASON (G061): Approaching the 200 Metres was steadied and shifted to the outside of SUPER JOY N FUN to obtain clear running and as a result made contact with GALLANT VALOUR. Sent for sampling post-race. A AMERIC TE SPECSO (H037): Slow to begin. Leaving the 500 Metres was steadied away from KYRUS DRAGON. Approaching the 150 Metres raced tight to the inside of KYRUS DRAGON. Was then briefly held up for clear running behind HAPPY FAT CAT approaching the 100 Metres before shifting to that runner’s inside to secure clear running. SUPER JOY N FUN (J164): Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Leaving the 500 Metres was taken wider by HAROLD WIN. GALLANT VALOUR (H323): Approaching the 200 Metres was bumped and taken wider by EASON. Sent for sampling post-race. HAPPY FAT CAT (G166): No report. TURF PHOENIX (J294): Jumped only fairly and then was crowded by HAPPY FAT CAT which shifted in. In the early stages raced keenly and lay out making the first turn near the 1000 Metres. Near the 550 Metres got its head up when being steadied to avoid EASON. HAROLD WIN (J280): Jumped only fairly. Leaving the 500 Metres was hampered when GUSTOSISIMO shifted out. Between the 300 Metres and the 150 Metres raced in restricted room between SUPER JOY N FUN and GUSTOSISIMO which shifted out to improve.