10/04/2024  Happy Valley  Race 8

HAMERON (H265): Over the concluding stages was badly crowded. WINNING DRAGON (E461): Near the 50 Metres was checked when crowded between HAMERON and EIGHTEEN PALMS which was taken in by IVY LEAGUE (K De Melo). K De Melo was severely reprimanded for making insufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in. SIMPLY MAVERICK (H346): Jumped awkwardly and made contact with the left side of its barrier. Sent for sampling post-race. NOBLE PURSUIT (H324): No report. SHOW RESPECT (H138): Between the 150 Metres and the 50 Metres was badly held up for clear running. EIGHTEEN PALMS (H033): When the pace steadied near the 900 Metres commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from LOVERO. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by Mr C S Shum, trainer of 5th placegetter, EIGHTEEN PALMS, against IVY LEAGUE being declared the winner alleging interference over the concluding stages. After considering the evidence, the Stewards overruled the protest/objection when they found that whilst IVY LEAGUE had shifted in, crowding and resulting in EIGHTEEN PALMS being checked, they were not satisfied that had such interference not occurred, EIGHTEEN PALMS would have finished in advance of IVY LEAGUE. Weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry, Mr Shum was fined the sum of $5,000 for lodging a frivolous protest/objection. Approaching the finish was checked when crowded by IVY LEAGUE (K De Melo) which shifted in. K De Melo was severely reprimanded for making insufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in. LOVERO (H451): Crowded on jumping. Approaching the 150 Metres was steadied when crowded by IVY LEAGUE (K De Melo) which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider when the saddle on IVY LEAGUE shifted to the left side. The Stewards were satisfied that K De Melo had made sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in and therefore no action was taken. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. IVY LEAGUE (H116): Sent for sampling post-race. RED MAJESTY (E028): Near the 1400 Metres was steadied when crowded by EIGHTEEN PALMS which was taken in by LOVERO (Apprentice Y L Chung) which shifted in. Apprentice Chung was reprimanded. Near the 250 Metres was steadied when crowded by IVY LEAGUE (K De Melo) which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider when the saddle on IVY LEAGUE shifted to the left side. The Stewards were satisfied that K De Melo had made sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in and therefore no action was taken. TRADITION (J111): Bumped shortly after the start, became unbalanced, shifted in and was steadied away from HAMERON. SMILING TIME (E235): No report. CHAIN OF GOLD (J138): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 200 Metres was briefly crowded between TRADITION and SMILING TIME.