16/12/2020  Happy Valley  Race 6

MISSION TYCOON and DELIGHTFUL LAOS began awkwardly. From wide barriers, CHATER PINS and CABLE SPEED were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After travelling a short distance, FARSHAD shifted out and inconvenienced THE ROCK. FARSHAD travelled wide and without cover in the early stages and was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead at the 800 Metres. Approaching the turn after the 600 Metres, DELIGHTFUL LAOS and CABLE SPEED raced tight as DELIGHTFUL LAOS commenced to improve around CHATER PINS. Approaching the 400 Metres, THE ROCK and AMAZING BEATS raced tight as AMAZING BEATS attempted to shift out from behind FARSHAD. Rounding the Home Turn, ENTRUSTED was held up and unable to improve. At the entrance to the Straight, ENTRUSTED was then directed to the inside of the heels of MISSION TYCOON to obtain clear running. Apprentice K H Chan (MISSION TYCOON) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 250 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in, resulting in ENTRUSTED, which had obtained a run to its inside, being severely checked when crowded onto the running rail. Apprentice Chan was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Saturday, 26 December 2020 and to expire on Thursday, 7 January 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Apprentice Chan was fined $5,000. When ENTRUSTED was severely checked, CABLE SPEED was shifted out abruptly away from the heels of that horse. Over the concluding stages, CHATER PINS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of TOYCOON which shifted in slightly under pressure. After the race, Z Purton stated that he had to make some use of ANGEL OF MY EYES to cross from the outside barrier to obtain the lead in the early stages. He said after the 1200 Metres he steadied ANGEL OF MY EYES and allowed MISSION TYCOON to cross his mount. He said ANGEL OF MY EYES travelled relatively comfortably along the Back Straight, however, dropped the bit approaching the 600 Metres which required him to commence riding the horse along. He said ANGEL OF MY EYES then was disappointing in its failure to finish off the race. He added in retrospect ANGEL OF MY EYES may be better suited by being ridden more conservatively in the early stages which would allow the horse to finish off the race better. A veterinary inspection of ANGEL OF MY EYES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING BEATS, ENTRUSTED and TOTAL POWER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MISSION TYCOON immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in its trachea and also found the horse to be lame in its left hind leg. The Veterinary Officer also said that MISSION TYCOON was a "roarer” which had previously been reported. Before being allowed to race again, MISSION TYCOON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DELIGHTFUL LAOS and THE ROCK were sent for sampling.