14/06/2020  Shatin  Race 6

GUNNAR lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and then was bumped by TAILOR MADE which shifted out. JOYFUL MOMENTS began awkwardly and then lost ground when steadied away from the heels of LUCKY WIN WIN which shifted out despite the efforts of its rider. FORTUNE HAPPINESS (J Moreira) lost ground when crowded for room on jumping between SUPER ALLIANCES which was taken out by VIVA COUNCIL and LITTLE THUNDER which shifted in after making contact with STAR LUCK. When LITTLE THUNDER and STAR LUCK bumped, STAR LUCK shifted out and inconvenienced MASTERWORK. After this, from an outside barrier, STAR LUCK was shifted across behind runners. After the race, J Moreira stated that after losing ground at the start, FORTUNE HAPPINESS got well back in the field despite him riding it along in the early stages. He said FORTUNE HAPPINESS did not travel well at any stage when positioned much further back than had been intended. He said FORTUNE HAPPINESS came under heavy pressure after the 800 Metres and then made the turn near the 700 Metres awkwardly. He said he continued to ride FORTUNE HAPPINESS along after the 700 Metres, however, the horse did not quicken and then, despite being vigorously ridden rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, did not respond to his riding and was disappointing. He added the only explanation he could offer for the performance of FORTUNE HAPPINESS was that the horse did not appreciate having to be ridden from back in the field. Approaching the 900 Metres, MASTERWORK shifted in and bumped VIVA COUNCIL. H W Lai (DOLLAR REWARD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 800 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in which resulted in GUNNAR being directed in and causing TAILOR MADE, which had been racing tight inside GUNNAR, to be severely checked when crowded onto GOOD SHOT which was also badly crowded for room and became unbalanced. When TAILOR MADE was severely checked, JOYFUL MOMENTS was badly checked in consequence whilst SUPER ALLIANCES was shifted out away from the heels of TAILOR MADE, resulting in STAR LUCK being inconvenienced when taken wider. H W Lai was suspended from riding in races for the racemeeting to be conducted at Happy Valley on Wednesday, 24 June 2020. As such, H W Lai is eligible to resume race riding on Thursday, 25 June 2020. In addition, Jockey Lai was fined $5,000. After the race, GUNNAR was reported by the Veterinary Officer to have been galloped on the right hind leg. Passing the 400 Metres, LITTLE THUNDER was inconvenienced by DOLLAR REWARD which shifted out. Approaching the 200 Metres, as GUNNAR was shifting out to improve between VIVA COUNCIL and MASTERWORK, MASTERWORK shifted in, resulting in GUNNAR and MASTERWORK making contact and causing both horses to become unbalanced. MASTERWORK was then momentarily eased when tightened for room between LITTLE THUNDER and GUNNAR which shifted out after becoming unbalanced. Over the concluding stages, LITTLE THUNDER was hampered when awkwardly placed outside GUNNAR (Apprentice C L Chau) which shifted out under pressure. Apprentice Chau was reprimanded and told that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount. Because of this, LITTLE THUNDER was not able to be properly tested over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE HAPPINESS, GOOD SHOT and TAILOR MADE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that JOYFUL MOMENTS was lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, JOYFUL MOMENTS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPER ALLIANCES and GUNNAR were sent for sampling.