08/01/2025  Happy Valley  Race 9

NOBLE PURSUIT (H324): No report. SPEED DRAGON (H380): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. C Y Ho pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 150 Metres (see SUNSTRIDER). Sent for sampling post-race. SAMARKAND (H070): C L Chau will be warned in relation to using his whip in a manner where his whip arm was raised above shoulder height on several occasions over the concluding stages. CALIFORNIATOTALITY (H418): Shifted in at the start and was bumped. Sent for sampling post-race. SIMPLE HEDGE (H237): Jumped only fairly. SUPER UNICORN (H481): After the event, K C Leung reported that when the pace of the event eased in the middle stages his mount raced keenly and got its head up when being steadied away from SAMARKAND. He said as a result SUPER UNICORN was one-paced to the finish of the event. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Sent for sampling post-race. COMET SPLENDIDO (G071): No report. QUANTUM PATCH (H166): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SUNSTRIDER (J168): Crowded shortly after the start by NOBLE PURSUIT which shifted out. C Y Ho (SPEED DRAGON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of SUNSTRIDER, resulting in SUNSTRIDER having to be checked to avoid SPEED DRAGON. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 12 January 2025 and to expire on Thursday, 16 January 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his good race riding record. TOY SOLTERO (J268): Trainer C W Chang confirmed the instructions were to lead tonight’s event. He said TOY SOLTERO had pleased the stable leading into the race but may not have appreciated leading and this was the only explanation he could offer for TOY SOLTERO weakening in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TOY SOLTERO was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts. Before being allowed to race again, TOY SOLTERO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. DILBAGH (K055): Near the 700 Metres was steadied to avoid SUPER UNICORN. For some distance near the 250 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running. SURE JOYFUL (G125): On jumping was crowded by CALIFORNIATOTALITY which shifted in. After the event, M Chadwick reported that his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event and as a result was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.