27/10/2024  Happy Valley  Race 1

THE KHAN (H489): Bumped shortly after the start. Approaching the 150 Metres was hampered when taken wider. After the event, H Bowman stated that after being contacted by COUNTRY DANCER approaching the 150 Metres his mount failed to finish the race off thereafter. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINNING HEART (H065): Near the 150 Metres shifted out and away from THE KHAN. After the event, H Bentley reported that the intention was to settle a little closer on his mount, but after jumping well WINNING HEART took up a forward position and was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event. COUNTRY DANCER (H436): Shortly after the start was severely checked when crowded between SAME TO YOU which shifted in slightly and CHEER FOR SOUTH which was taken out by SPICY SO SMART (M Chadwick) which shifted out abruptly despite the efforts of its rider. The Stewards were satisfied that M Chadwick had endeavoured to correct his mount as it started to shift ground and therefore no action was taken. When questioned, Z Purton stated that after being held up making the Home Turn he then commenced to ride his mount along to improve to the outside of VIVA A LA (M F Poon) approaching the 150 Metres. He said as he endeavoured to shift to that runner’s outside, VIVA A LA shifted out which resulted in his mount being held up and having to be shifted out further to avoid that runner’s heels and making contact with THE KHAN which was taken wider. Z Purton and M F Poon were advised to exercise more care. Sent for sampling post-race. SUPER ELITE (H247): When questioned regarding his riding on the Home Turn and the reason he elected to improve to the inside of VIVA A LA, K Teetan stated that his instructions were to endeavour to follow a horse into the race as SUPER ELITE had not finished its races off strongly when improving to the outside of runners. He added that as a result when VIVA A LA shifted out slightly on the Home Turn, he elected to improve to that runner’s inside and follow SPICY SO SMART to ride in accordance with his instructions. He further stated that after being briefly held up on the Home Turn, SUPER ELITE was able to follow SPICY SO SMART into the Home Straight where it finished the race off reasonably well. Trainer D J Hall confirmed the instructions and the reason why such instructions were issued. Sent for sampling post-race. SPICY SO SMART (G203): Shifted out abruptly on jumping. Sent for sampling post-race. VIVA A LA (G282): M F Poon was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 1000 Metres (see SUNNY SHINES). SAME TO YOU (H057): Shifted in slightly on jumping and a short distance later was bumped heavily on the hindquarters and became badly unbalanced. In the early stages raced keenly and for some distance approaching the 1000 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from SUPER ELITE. After the 600 Metres became unbalanced when racing tight between CHEER FOR SOUTH and THE KHAN which was racing tight to the inside of WINNING HEART (H Bentley). H Bentley was advised to exercise more care and to ensure he provides sufficient racing room to runners on his inside. After the 400 Metres was checked when crowded between THE KHAN (H Bowman) which shifted in slightly and CHEER FOR SOUTH which was steadied when crowded by SUPER ELITE (K Teetan) which, after improving into a tight run to the inside of VIVA A LA (M F Poon), was then taken in by that runner. After considering all of the evidence, Jockey Bowman was advised to ensure that he leaves comfortable racing room for runners to his inside, Jockey Teetan was advised to ensure that there is sufficient racing room when he is improving and Jockey Poon was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift back in after VIVA A LA initially shifted out on the Home Turn. After the event, B Avdulla stated that his mount raced tight for some distance after the 700 Metres and was then checked at the 400 Metres when crowded. He said as a result SAME TO YOU did not finish the race off in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY FEELING (H443): Jumped only fairly. JOYFUL FRIENDSHIP (H295): Bumped shortly after the start. Approaching the 200 Metres was eased and shifted to the inside of WINNING HEART and THE KHAN to continue into clear running. Again after the 100 Metres JOYFUL FRIENDSHIP continued to be shifted to the inside of VIVA A LA and CHEER FOR SOUTH to continue into clear running. CHEER FOR SOUTH (H178): Badly crowded shortly after the start. On the Home Turn was steadied when crowded. MORE RICE (H271): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the event, C L Chau confirmed that from a wide barrier and his mount racing first up today, he was instructed to ride it conservatively in the early stages. Trainer W Y So confirmed the instructions issued. SUNNY SHINES (H484): Shortly after the start shifted in slightly and bumped with THE KHAN. A short distance later then raced tight between THE KHAN and WINNING HEART. M F Poon (VIVA A LA) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of WINNING HEART, resulting in WINNING HEART being crowded and taken in onto SUNNY SHINES, resulting in SUNNY SHINES also being crowded and losing its rightful running. After assessing the carelessness grade 1 and the consequences grade 2 and having regard to his excellent record, the Stewards determined the appropriate penalty to be a reprimand.