31/01/2025  Shatin  Race 5

PHOENIX LIGHT (G192): Y L Chung (LUCKY BLESSING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of ATOMIC BEAUTY, resulting in ATOMIC BEAUTY being taken in onto PHOENIX LIGHT which was checked and lost its rightful running and also resulting in LUCKY GOLD which was racing to the inside of PHOENIX LIGHT being crowded for room. Y L Chung was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Sunday, 23 February 2025 at Sha Tin. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very good race riding record. CHARMING BABE (J513): Bumped at the start and became unbalanced. Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out to the finish when positioned tight to the inside of LUCKY BLESSING which shifted in slightly. LESLIE (E471): Bumped at the start. BRILLIANT EXPRESS (J321): In the middle stages raced keenly and near the 800 Metres was steadied to avoid LUCKY GOLD. Sent for sampling post-race. SUPER GOLDI (H477): Near the 1000 Metres was taken wider. SKY DEEP (K041): Leaving the 300 Metres when placed under full pressure shifted in towards the running rail and became badly unbalanced. A short distance later again shifted in and struck the running rail. SKY DEEP then continued to race greenly to the finish of the event. Having regard to the horse’s previous racing manners, the Stewards determined that SKY DEEP must barrier trial satisfactorily on consecutive occasions in Hong Kong from an inside barrier where it be required to be ridden out in the Home Straight before being permitted to race again. Sent for sampling post-race. MAX QUE (J514): On jumping bounded and lost ground. Near the 800 Metres was steadied to avoid BRILLIANT EXPRESS. Over the final 100 Metres could not be fully ridden out to the finish when it improved behind SKY DEEP. FLYING AKEED (J471): On jumping was bumped by LUCKY BLESSING which shifted in abruptly, resulting in FLYING AKEED becoming unbalanced. In the early stages raced keenly and leaving the 1000 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from LESLIE for some distance. VICTORY PATCH (J415): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ZETTA FORCE (J546): Near the 1000 Metres was steadied to avoid FLYING AKEED. Near the 650 Metres was steadied away from LESLIE. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a laceration to the right hind leg. HARMONY N HOME (C531): No report. LUCKY BLESSING (K073): Shifted in abruptly at the start and was bumped. Y L Chung (LUCKY BLESSING) pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 900 Metres (see PHOENIX LIGHT). Near the 300 Metres was hampered when taken out by SKY DEEP. Prior to declaring weighed-in, the Stewards viewed the patrol films to ascertain if there were sufficient grounds for a protest/objection against SKY DEEP. Having regard to the beaten margin between the two horses and the manner in which they finished the race off, the Stewards declined to lodge a protest/objection on behalf of LUCKY BLESSING and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. ATOMIC BEAUTY (H066): After the event, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, ATOMIC BEAUTY is better suited racing at the Happy Valley circuit. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY GOLD (G112): Steadied near the 900 Metres when crowded. Near the 500 Metres lay out slightly and then was steadied when momentarily crowded by CHARMING BABE (K Teetan) which lay in when racing to the inside of HARMONY N HOME. K Teetan was advised to exercise more care. Near the 150 Metres was steadied to avoid BRILLIANT EXPRESS (H Bowman) which shifted in. H Bowman was reprimanded.