16/01/2019  Happy Valley  Race 7

MIGHTY POWER was withdrawn on 15.1.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter FEARLESS FIRE (C Schofield). Before being allowed to race again, MIGHTY POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After being loaded into the barriers, PRANCE DRAGON was fractious and then as the start was effected was slow to begin. Shortly after the start, PRANCE DRAGON shifted out and bumped PERFECT BUDDY. From a wide barrier, BUOYANT BOY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, NOBLE DELIGHT was bumped by HARRIER JET which shifted out away from the heels of PRINCE HARMONY. Passing the 300 Metres, PRANCE DRAGON, which was endeavouring to improve to the outside of NOBLE DELIGHT, was bumped by STAR OF JOY which shifted in. PRANCE DRAGON then had further difficulty obtaining clear running between NOBLE DELIGHT and STAR OF JOY until near the 200 Metres as a result of NOBLE DELIGHT shifting out marginally under pressure. The Stewards questioned M F Poon regarding his riding of GALLANT RETURN. M F Poon stated that he was instructed from a wide barrier to shift GALLANT RETURN across behind runners to obtain cover in the early stages. He said whilst the horse had been able to take up a forward position in its recent races, this position had been achieved from an inside barrier draw whereas tonight the horse was drawn towards the outside. He said he was further instructed to shift the horse to the outside of runners if possible in the Straight as the earlier races had indicated to connections that horses were able to finish off their race from wider on the track and therefore there was no necessity to ride for luck and attempt to obtain inside runs which could result in GALLANT RETURN being held up. He said in accordance with his instructions he steadied GALLANT RETURN in the early stages and shifted the horse across behind initially BUOYANT BOY which was also being steadied to obtain cover. He said whilst GALLANT RETURN got further out of its ground in the early stages than he had hoped, he was reluctant, after steadying his mount in the early stages, then to ride it along to improve to the outside of BUOYANT BOY as he was concerned that that horse would then shift into a one-off position which would result in GALLANT RETURN racing three wide at the rear of the field. He said he therefore allowed GALLANT RETURN to shift in to follow BUOYANT BOY approaching the 700 Metres. He said after the 600 Metres he was able to obtain a position closer behind BUOYANT BOY which itself was able to improve its position to be racing behind FEARLESS FIRE. He said he continued to race behind BUOYANT BOY until on straightening at which time he immediately shifted GALLANT RETURN to the outside of that horse and to the outside of the field. He said he placed GALLANT RETURN under heavy pressure in the Straight and the horse then finished off the race strongly. He added, after viewing the video, the horse got further out of its ground than he felt during the race, however, he reiterated that he was reluctant to improve to the outside of BUOYANT BOY so as not to cover unnecessary ground. After considering all the circumstances of this case, M F Poon was severely reprimanded and advised that his riding of GALLANT RETURN in the early and middle stages bordered on breaching a significant Rule of Racing. He was further advised that his lack of judgement in allowing GALLANT RETURN to get out of its ground in the early and middle stages caused the Stewards considerable concern and that his riding of the horse until the 400 Metres had come under notice. He was told his ride on GALLANT RETURN was not up to the standard expected of a jockey licensed to ride in Hong Kong. A veterinary inspection of PRINCE HARMONY immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, PRINCE HARMONY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PRANCE DRAGON, STAR OF JOY and POWERMAX were sent for sampling.