24/03/2021  Happy Valley  Race 7

MR LUMIERES began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped heavily with BE READY, causing both horses to become unbalanced. MR LUMIERES was then crowded for room between BE READY and MOST WELCOME which was taken out by AQUILA. From a wide barrier, ISLAND SHINE was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After initially being steadied to obtain cover in the early stages, HIGH RISE SOLDIER raced wide and without cover for the majority of the race. Near the 1100 Metres, HERCULES raced in restricted room for a short distance between SHOUSON and DAILY BEAUTY which was racing tight inside CASIMIRO. Near the 950 Metres, MR LUMIERES was crowded for room between ISLAND SHINE and DAILY BEAUTY which got its head on the side and shifted out. Passing the 900 Metres, ISLAND SHINE commenced to race intractably and shifted in abruptly towards the heels of DAILY BEAUTY, causing ISLAND SHINE to become badly unbalanced. Near the 650 Metres, ISLAND SHINE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of YOUNG LEGEND. At the 600 Metres, CALIFORNIA CONCORD lay in and brushed the running rail, resulting in the horse becoming unbalanced, shifting out and bumping SHOUSON. Passing the 300 Metres, MR LUMIERES was shifted out away from the heels of MOST WELCOME which in turn was shifted to the outside of HIGH RISE SOLDIER. M F Poon (SHOUSON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching and passing the 200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of DAILY BEAUTY, causing that horse to be checked and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled when crowded for room between SHOUSON and HERCULES which shifted out marginally. M F Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 14 April 2021 and to expire on Sunday, 18 April 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Poon’s good race riding record. A veterinary inspection of YOUNG LEGEND, HIGH RISE SOLDIER and DAILY BEAUTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DAILY BEAUTY, BE READY and HERCULES were sent for sampling.