08/04/2021  Happy Valley  Race 1

SMART THINKER shifted out at the start and bumped HUMBLE STEED. SMART THINKER then lost ground when crowded for room between JOY MASTER and HUMBLE STEED which shifted in. WELL DRAGON shifted out at the start and hampered DIAMOND STAR. Then from the outside barrier, DIAMOND STAR was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. THE FULL BLOOM and SHANGHAI POWER bumped at the start. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, WELL DRAGON failed to muster speed and approaching the winning post on the first occasion was shifted across behind runners. Near the 1600 Metres, JOY MASTER and HAPPY ICHIBAN brushed. C Wong (SMILING SUCCESS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HAPPY ICHIBAN which resulted in that horse being directed in and shifting in across the rightful running of VEGA RHYTHM which was checked across the heels of HAPPY ICHIBAN and also lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In the circumstances, C Wong was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 25 April 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 29 April 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). After the 1200 Metres, MANNA FROM HEAVEN was left racing wide and without cover. After the 1100 Metres, SHANGHAI POWER was steadied to obtain cover behind HAPPY ICHIBAN. VEGA RHYTHM, which was following, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SHANGHAI POWER in consequence. When the tempo of the race slowed after the 900 Metres, VEGA RHYTHM was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SHANGHAI POWER which itself was awkwardly placed behind HAPPY ICHIBAN. VEGA RHYTHM then commenced to travel keenly and for some distance approaching and passing the 800 Metres raced close to the heels of SHANGHAI POWER. For some distance after the 500 Metres, VEGA RHYTHM and THE FULL BLOOM raced tight. Then passing the 400 Metres, THE FULL BLOOM was held up for clear running behind SHANGHAI POWER. THE FULL BLOOM was then shifted out a number of horses rounding the Home Turn to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, WELL DRAGON shifted in under pressure, requiring its rider to stop riding and correct his mount. The performance of SMILING SUCCESS, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SMILING SUCCESS will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of SMILING SUCCESS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of VEGA RHYTHM, M F Poon stated that after striking interference approaching the 1200 Metres, his mount then travelled too keenly in the middle stages and would not relax. He said VEGA RHYTHM came under heavy pressure after the 500 Metres and then did not finish off the race as anticipated which he put down to the horse travelling too keenly in the middle stages. He added having this in mind, he did recommend to connections that they consider dropping the horse back in distance in its future starts in the hope that a faster tempo would assist it in relaxing. A veterinary inspection of VEGA RHYTHM immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SMART THINKER and SHANGHAI POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VEGA RHYTHM, MANNA FROM HEAVEN and SPEED TO EXCEED were sent for sampling.