12/06/2024  Happy Valley  Race 5

MONEY CATCHER (G171): Crowded shortly after the start by TELECOM FIGHTERS which shifted out. TELECOM FIGHTERS (D482): Shifted out at the start and was bumped. When questioned regarding his riding, Apprentice E C W Wong stated that his instructions were to lead the event at a comfortable tempo. He said after obtaining the lead in the early stages, from nearing the 1200 Metres he eased his mount to attempt to comply with his instructions which resulted in the early sectionals of the event being run well outside of standard time. Apprentice Wong agreed with the Stewards that in retrospect he had made an error of judgement by setting a pace that was too slow throughout the early stages which resulted in HELENE FEELING and MOMENTS IN TIME making a forward move near the 1000 Metres which disadvantaged TELECOM FIGHTERS. Apprentice Wong was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to show better judgement than what he did on this occasion. MOMENTS IN TIME (H474): Raced wide and without cover until after the 1000 Metres when it was allowed to stride forward to take up a position outside the lead. FLAMING RABBIT (H257): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MR ASCENDENCY (G227): Jumped only fairly. HELENE FEELING (H215): Jumped awkwardly. Due to the pace of the event in the early stages being run outside of standard was allowed to stride forward near the 1000 Metres to lead when racing keenly. CHILL CHIBI (H109): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the time of declaration, C L Chau had claimed 1 lb overweight from his riding weight of 119 lbs to ride CHILL CHIBI.  At the time of weighing out, C L Chau requested a further pound overweight which is permitted under the Rules.  C L Chau then weighed in after the race at 122 lbs, 3 lbs over the horse’s allocated weight.  Jockey Chau was fined the sum of $7,500. OUTGATE (H113): Sent for sampling post-race. YELLOWFIN (G326): Sent for sampling post-race. SPLENDID LIVING (E192): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Raced keenly in the early stages. After the race, A Atzeni reported that with the expected fast pace of the event, he was instructed from his wide barrier to ride his mount conservatively in the early stages.