22/06/2022  Happy Valley  Race 6

SIX BEST FRIENDS shifted in at the start and bumped VAMOS. SIX BEST FRIENDS then travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. WINNING ICEY was crowded for room on jumping between TAKE WHAT YOU NEED and EXUBERANT which shifted out after being bumped by ABOVE ALL. After this, WINNING ICEY and EXUBERANT were steadied and shifted across behind runners from wide barriers. After the 1000 Metres, SPICY GRILL raced tight inside VAMOS. Passing the 900 Metres, EXUBERANT was awkwardly placed inside the heels of SINGAPORE SPIRIT which itself was racing tight inside TAKE WHAT YOU NEED. Then making the turn after the 600 Metres, EXUBERANT got its head on the side and shifted out across the heels of SINGAPORE SPIRIT, resulting in EXUBERANT being checked and losing ground. FLYING ON THE TURF, which was following, was inconvenienced whilst WINNING ICEY got its head up when being checked away from the heels of EXUBERANT. As the Stewards were of the opinion that this incident was primarily as a result of EXUBERANT’s reluctance to maintain its position inside SINGAPORE SPIRIT, no further action was taken. Approaching and passing the 500 Metres, EXUBERANT was then awkwardly placed behind SINGAPORE SPIRIT. Passing the 250 Metres, TAKE WHAT YOU NEED was bumped by SINGAPORE SPIRIT (K Teetan) which shifted out. TAKE WHAT YOU NEED was then crowded for room between SINGAPORE SPIRIT which was corrected by its rider and WINNING ICEY which, after being bumped on the hindquarters by TAKE WHAT YOU NEED, shifted in marginally. K Teetan was severely reprimanded and told that, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have reacted quicker than he did to the shift from SINGAPORE SPIRIT. He was further told to ensure that he responds in a timely manner to his mounts shifting ground so as not to cause interference to other runners. K C Leung (MEGA BONUS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 50 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of VAMOS, resulting in that horse having to be checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Friday, 1 July 2022 and to expire on Thursday, 7 July 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Leung’s good race riding record. A veterinary inspection of ABOVE ALL immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINNING ICEY and MEGA BONUS were sent for sampling.