22/05/2024  Happy Valley  Race 5

CORDYCEPS ONE (E107): When questioned regarding his riding, Apprentice E C W Wong stated that his instructions were to go forward and either race in or outside the lead. He said in the early stages CORDYCEPS ONE failed to show sufficient pace to comply with his instructions and he was obliged to obtain a trailing position three wide behind FOREVER GLORIOUS. He said near the 1000 Metres when FOREVER GLORIOUS momentarily shifted in to race one-off, this resulted in CORDYCEPS ONE racing wide and without cover. He said as a result he then elected to ride his mount forward with a view to complying with his instructions but was unable to cross the leaders and as a result CORDYCEPS ONE was obliged to race wide and without cover for the remainder of the event. After considering Apprentice Wong’s explanation and having regard to the pace of the event being run inside of standard time throughout the early stages, Apprentice Wong was advised that he had made an error of judgement in riding his mount forward from the 1000 Metres and he would have been better suited by maintaining his position to the outside of FOREVER GLORIOUS. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MIDORI BURLY (J083): Slow to begin. KASA PAPA (G312): Was unable to proceed forward between the 500 Metres and the 400 Metres when positioned behind FLYING PHANTOM. JUMBO FORTUNE (G195): After the race, Z Purton reported that from the inside barrier his instructions were to hold an on-pace position preferably behind the leaders. He said JUMBO FORTUNE commenced well, travelled strongly in the early stages and was able to hold the lead. He added that JUMBO FORTUNE was then unsuited by being pressured in the lead and gave ground in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, JUMBO FORTUNE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Sent for sampling post-race. TO INFINITY (G277): Had difficulty obtaining clear running on the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FOREVER GLORIOUS (G229): Raced wide and without cover until the 1000 Metres. Sent for sampling post-race. CAN'T GO WONG (H087): Over the concluding stages shifted in and approaching the winning post made contact with the hindquarters of GOLD TACK. After the race, M F Poon stated that from the outside barrier he was instructed to obtain a midfield position. He said when unable to obtain this position, he was obliged to race further back in order to obtain cover. PACKING WISHER (H448): After the race, C L Chau reported that his mount raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages of the event. C L Chau was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 1400 Metres (see FLYING PHANTOM). FLYING PHANTOM (J086): C L Chau (PACKING WISHER) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1400 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of FLYING PHANTOM, resulting in FLYING PHANTOM having to be checked. C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 5 June 2024 and to expire on Sunday, 9 June 2024 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Chau was fined $45,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his neutral race riding record. YOUNG VICTORY (D399): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. THE KHAN (H489): Jumped only fairly. Approaching the 1300 Metres was steadied to avoid FLYING PHANTOM which lost ground at that point. Between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres was held up for clear running. GOLD TACK (H106): Approaching the winning post was bumped on the hindquarters by CAN’T GO WONG. Sent for sampling post-race.