20/10/2021  Happy Valley  Race 6

FLYING HIGH began only fairly. RESOLUTE shifted in at the start and bumped SERGEANT PEPPER. Shortly after the start, TRIPLE TRIPLE was brushed by HARMONY N BLESSED which shifted in. SOLID IMPACT was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. After travelling a short distance, FLYING GENIUS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of WINE AND WINE. Near the 950 Metres, WILD WEST WING was crowded for room between RESOLUTE which was racing tight outside the heels of SERGEANT PEPPER and HARMONY FIRE which shifted in. J Moreira (BRILLIANT FORTUNE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 800 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of RESOLUTE, resulting in that horse being hampered and taken in onto FLYING HIGH which was also hampered when unnecessarily crowded for room. J Moreira was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 27 October 2021 and to expire on Monday, 1 November 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Moreira’s good race riding record. After this, as J Moreira directed BRILLIANT FORTUNE out in an attempt to relieve the crowding to RESOLUTE and FLYING HIGH, BRILLIANT FORTUNE was shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of WINE AND WINE which was shifting in to take up the room which had been made available by BRILLIANT FORTUNE previously shifting in. When BRILLIANT FORTUNE bumped the hindquarters of WINE AND WINE, that horse became unbalanced and BRILLIANT FORTUNE shifted in abruptly away from the heels of WINE AND WINE, resulting in RESOLUTE being badly hampered and taken in across the rightful running of FLYING HIGH which was checked. When FLYING HIGH was checked, SOLID IMPACT, which was following, was hampered in consequence. As the Stewards were of the opinion that the subsequent interference caused primarily to FLYING HIGH and RESOLUTE was as a result of BRILLIANT FORTUNE shifting out and bumping WINE AND WINE and then becoming badly unbalanced, they took no further action in respect of this aspect of the incident. Following this incident, BRILLIANT FORTUNE was left racing wide and without cover after the 700 Metres. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SERGEANT PEPPER, which was travelling keenly, shifted out away from the heels of HARMONY FIRE and bumped the hindquarters of WINE AND WINE. After this, SERGEANT PEPPER continued to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind HARMONY FIRE. Passing the 500 Metres, CANTSTOPTHEFEELING momentarily raced in restricted room inside RESOLUTE which was racing tight inside BRILLIANT FORTUNE. After this, CANTSTOPTHEFEELING lay out and for some distance approaching the 400 Metres was awkwardly placed inside the heels of RESOLUTE. Passing the 300 Metres, RESOLUTE raced tight inside WINE AND WINE which shifted in under pressure. Passing the 150 Metres, SERGEANT PEPPER was shifted to the outside of HARMONY FIRE to obtain clear running. After the 100 Metres, TRIPLE TRIPLE shifted in under pressure, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and correct his mount. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HARMONY N BLESSED had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of BRILLIANT FORTUNE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of CANTSTOPTHEFEELING and WILD WEST WING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HARMONY N BLESSED and HARMONY FIRE were sent for sampling.