08/12/2021  Happy Valley  Race 4

CIRCUIT SEVEN shifted out at the start and inconvenienced OVERSUBSCRIBED. FARIBAULT, FLYING HIGH and TRUST ME all lost ground when crowded for room at the start between FABULOUS EIGHT which shifted out and WILD WEST WING which got its head on the side and shifted in after being bumped by CANTSTOPTHEFEELING on jumping. After being ridden along in the early stages to obtain a forward position, CANTSTOPTHEFEELING was steadied after the 900 Metres to obtain cover when racing very wide. Passing the 800 Metres, FLYING HIGH got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of FABULOUS EIGHT which was being steadied to obtain cover behind AWESOME TREASURE. After this, FLYING HIGH continued to travel keenly and then made the turn near the 550 Metres awkwardly. Passing the 300 Metres, OVERSUBSCRIBED was shifted to the outside of AWESOME TREASURE in an endeavour to obtain clear running. Then approaching the 250 Metres, OVERSUBSCRIBED was steadied when disappointed for running between AWESOME TREASURE and FABULOUS EIGHT which shifted in. OVERSUBSCRIBED was then shifted to the outside of FABULOUS EIGHT. As the Stewards were of the opinion that OVERSUBSCRIBED had not properly established running between AWESOME TREASURE and FABULOUS EIGHT, no further action was taken. FARIBAULT, which was following OVERSUBSCRIBED, was shifted in away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Near the 100 Metres, TRUST ME, which was closing off the race, was directed to the inside CHARMING STEED to continue improving. MERIDIAN GENIUS, which was following TRUST ME, was inconvenienced in consequence. A Badel (FABULOUS EIGHT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 75 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of FARIBAULT, causing that horse to be checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. A Badel was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Monday, 27 December 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 30 December 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Badel was fined $30,000. When FARIBAULT was checked, OVERSUBSCRIBED, which was racing outside FARIBAULT, was steadied when crowded for room between that horse and WILD WEST WING. Over the concluding stages, TELECOM ROCKET became unbalanced and lost ground of its own accord when racing tight inside TRUST ME which itself was racing tight inside CHARMING STEED. Then passing the winning post, TRUST ME was checked away from the heels of CIRCUIT SEVEN when unable to obtain clear running. Because of this, TRUST ME was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. Throughout the race, WILD WEST WING travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of OVERSUBSCRIBED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. AWESOME TREASURE and FABULOUS EIGHT were sent for sampling.