20/11/2019  Happy Valley  Race 7

YEE CHEONG BABY and LOVING A BOOM were badly crowded for room between SAUL’S SPECIAL and MOMENT OF POWER which shifted out. In this incident, SAUL’S SPECIAL became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by LOVING A BOOM. After this, LOVING A BOOM and SAUL’S SPECIAL were both shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Shortly after the start, TORNADO TWIST and SUNNY BOY bumped. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, SUNNY BOY was slow to muster speed whilst LITTLE BIRD also failed to muster speed. Passing the 900 Metres, SUNNY BOY got its head on the side and was awkwardly placed outside the heels of CUE THE MUSIC. After the 700 Metres, REFINED TREASURE was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 600 Metres, SUNNY BOY was awkwardly placed behind SPEEDY KING. Passing the 500 Metres, LITTLE BIRD was inconvenienced by SUNNY BOY which was bumped by LOVING A BOOM (M Chadwick) which shifted out. M Chadwick was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he takes greater care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 200 Metres, TORNADO TWIST was shifted to the outside of MOMENT OF POWER which was giving ground. Passing the 50 Metres, SPEEDY KING raced tight inside LOVING A BOOM. When questioned regarding his riding of MOMENT OF POWER, Apprentice K H Chan stated that he was instructed to lead if possible and obtain the rail as MOMENT OF POWER had previously performed well when ridden in this manner. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode his mount aggressively in the early stages in an attempt to cross SPEED VISION to his inside. He said he had hoped that by continuing to ride MOMENT OF POWER along after the 800 Metres, the rider of SPEED VISION would defer and allow MOMENT OF POWER to obtain the outright lead. He said he continued to ride his mount along until near the 600 Metres at which time it became apparent to him that he would not be able to clear SPEED VISION to race on the rail and that he would be required to remain racing to the outside of that horse. Apprentice Chan was advised that it should have been apparent to him near the 800 Metres that he did not have sufficient speed to be able to clear SPEED VISION to cross to the rail and that he should have desisted from riding MOMENT OF POWER along and accepted that MOMENT OF POWER would have to remain racing to that horse’s outside. He was severely reprimanded and told that his riding of MOMENT OF POWER during the relevant stages of the race was not up to the standard expected of a rider in Hong Kong, be they an apprentice jockey or a senior rider. Apprentice Chan was placed on notice regarding his riding of MOMENT OF POWER and told that he must ensure that he rides his mounts in such a manner so that they can finish off their race as best as they are able. A veterinary inspection of LITTLE BIRD immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. A veterinary inspection of SUNNY BOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. YEE CHEONG BABY, MR LUMIERES and LOVING A BOOM were sent for sampling.