04/02/2024  Shatin  Race 7

HELIOS EXPRESS (H302): Sent for sampling post-race. HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE (H093): Near the 500 Metres was bumped by STAR MAC which shifted out to improve. When questioned, J McDonald stated that the instructions from the outside barrier were to ride his mount in a conservative manner to allow HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE to run out the 1600 Metres and also to ensure that it settled. He said whilst there was an option to take up a position in advance of FALLON in the early stages, he would have had to make some use of HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE to do so and for this reason he elected to come back to remain racing outside of FALLON and behind STAR MAC. He added throughout the early and middle stages HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE raced too keenly and refused to settle and although taken wider by FALLON near the 800 Metres, the manner in which his mount raced throughout the early and middle stages resulted in it not running out the 1600 Metres of today’s event. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HELENE FEELING (H215): Z Purton pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 200 Metres (see SPEED DRAGON). Sent for sampling post-race. MOMENTS IN TIME (H474): No report. BEAUTY CRESCENT (H334): Over-raced in the early and middle stages. CHANCHENG GLORY (H212): No report. SPEED DRAGON (H380): Slow to begin. After the 400 Metres was disappointed for clear running between HELIOS EXPRESS and HELENE FEELING. Z Purton pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 200 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of SPEED DRAGON, resulting in SPEED DRAGON losing its rightful running between CHANCHENG GLORY and HELENE FEELING and having to be checked. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 21 February 2024 at Happy Valley. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his excellent race riding record. FALLON (H219): Jumped only fairly. After the race, M L Yeung reported that, in his view, FALLON would be advantaged by being stepped up in distance for its next start as his mount was one-paced to the line. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STAR MAC (J053): Slow to begin. After making contact with HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE near the 500 Metres, STAR MAC was then shifted to the inside of BEAUTY CRESCENT to continue into clear running. Near the 50 Metres was shifted to the inside of HELENE FEELING to continue into clear running.