25/11/2020  Happy Valley  Race 3

On arrival at the barriers, Z Purton expressed concern regarding the action of PRANCE DRAGON. PRANCE DRAGON was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. MOMENTUM GALAXY was slow to begin. A SMILE LIKE YOURS shifted in at the start, resulting in SUNDAY BETTING losing ground when steadied away from the heels of that horse. BRANDING POWER began only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners. From wide barriers, WOOD ON FIRE and MASTER ALBERT were also steadied to obtain cover. C Schofield (A SMILE LIKE YOURS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1050 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HERCULES, resulting in that horse having to be checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled and when being checked clipped the heels of A SMILE LIKE YOURS and stumbled. Having regard to all the circumstances of this case, C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 16 December 2020 and to expire on Monday, 21 December 2020 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Schofield was fined $45,000. Approaching the 900 Metres, SUNDAY BETTING shifted in and bumped BRANDING POWER which became unbalanced. Near the 250 Metres, HAPPY JAI JAI was hampered by MOMENTUM GALAXY which shifted to the inside of LORIZ to obtain clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, HERCULES was shifted out away from the heels of BRANDING POWER which shifted out to obtain clear running. Close to the finishing line, BRANDING POWER shifted out and bumped MASTER ALBERT, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. Passing the 50 Metres, HAPPY JAI JAI was brushed by WOOD ON FIRE which improved into tight running inside MOMENTUM GALAXY. Then close to the finishing line, HAPPY JAI JAI was checked when crowded for room inside WOOD ON FIRE which was taken in marginally by MOMENTUM GALAXY. A veterinary inspection of HERCULES immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea and was also found to have an epiglottic entrapment. A veterinary inspection of PRANCE DRAGON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of LORIZ immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, LORIZ will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. REWARDING TOGETHER and A SMILE LIKE YOURS were sent for sampling.