11/09/2024  Happy Valley  Race 8

REWARD SMILE (H256): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When questioned regarding his riding, H Bowman stated that from a wide barrier he allowed his mount to settle towards the rear of the field as instructed. He also stated that he was instructed to endeavour to take inside runs towards the rail if possible. He added making the Home Turn when positioned behind RIGHTEOUS ARION he elected to improve to that runner’s inside when RIGHTEOUS ARION shifted out after the 300 Metres. He said soon after when placed under pressure REWARD SMILE responded well to his riding and as a result he was required to make a quick decision to find clear running which he attempted to obtain to the inside of NEVER TOO SOON. He said when NEVER TOO SOON shifted in, he was then obliged to steady to avoid that runner’s heels and shift to the outside where REWARD SMILE obtained clear running approaching the 150 Metres. Sent for sampling post-race. SUGAR SUGAR (G016): Bumped at the start. K De Melo (NEVER TOO SOON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of SUGAR SUGAR, resulting in SUGAR SUGAR having to be checked to avoid the heels of NEVER TOO SOON. K De Melo was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 25 September 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. HAPPY FAT CAT (G166): Bumped on jumping. GOLDEN EMPIRE (E490): No report. NEVER TOO SOON (E434): K De Melo pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 200 Metres (see SUGAR SUGAR). LUCKY ARCHANGEL (E385): Shifted out at the start and was bumped. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. MEGA BONUS (E184): Jumped awkwardly. SUPER JOY N FUN (J164): Sent for sampling post-race. RIGHTEOUS ARION (H059): Bumped at the start. KA YING CHEER (H369): After the event, Z Purton stated that his mount raced keenly in the early stages but nonetheless was disappointing in the Home Straight in that it failed to respond to his riding. Trainer P C Ng stated that after having to be ridden along in the early stages to hold a forward position KA YING CHEER was disadvantaged by the pace of the event easing which resulted in KA YING CHEER racing keenly and losing momentum during the middle stages. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Sent for sampling post-race. KING ECCELLENTE (G264): No report. ONE FOR ALL (G012): After the event, L Hewitson stated that he was obliged to make use of his mount from a wide barrier to go forward. He said as a result ONE FOR ALL failed to respond to his riding in the Home Straight. Noted to be making an abnormal respiratory noise after the race. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.