21/05/2025  Happy Valley  Race 8

SKY TRUST (J161): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When questioned regarding his riding making the Home Turn and the reason he improved to the inside of EMBRACES, H Bowman stated that after following EMBRACES during the race, when that runner shifted out near the 400 Metres it did not improve into the event as he had anticipated it would. He said as a result he allowed SKY TRUST to improve to the inside of EMBRACES as he was of the opinion that he was required to start to improve into the event. He said after riding his mount along in the early part of the Home Straight and improving to the inside of KOLACHI, his mount then became held up for a short distance near the 200 Metres behind KING OF FIGHTERS before improving to that runner’s outside. After considering his explanation, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Bowman were reasonable in the circumstances. H Bowman, the rider of 4th placegetter (dead heat), SKY TRUST, was found guilty of a charge under Rule 100(2) in that he failed to ride his mount out to the end of the race to the satisfaction of the Stewards. After considering matters in relation to penalty including that SKY TRUST had dead-heated with SUPER UNICORN for 4th placing, the Stewards issued a penalty of one Hong Kong racemeeting. H Bowman was suspended from riding in races for the racemeeting to be conducted on Wednesday, 4 June 2025 at Happy Valley. A AMERIC TE SPECSO (H037): On jumping was crowded by GOOD LUCK BABE which shifted in. After the event A Atzeni stated that after settling back in the field his mount finished the race off only fairly in the Home Straight which he attributed to the horse being up in weight as a result of its last two wins and also did not appreciate racing in between horses in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EMBRACES (J276): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. C L Chau was fined the sum of $10,000 for using his whip arm in a manner where it was raised above shoulder height on a number of occasions over the concluding stages. Having regard to his record in respect to similar offences he was placed on notice that should he continue to offend in a similar way more significant penalties would be applied. Sent for sampling post-race. STAR CONTACT (E472): Sent for sampling post-race. DRAGON JOY (J278): For some distance after the 1500 Metres made contact with STAR CONTACT as that runner attempted to obtain a position closer to the rail. KING OF FIGHTERS (K174): Jumped only fairly and then was crowded between A AMERIC TE SPECSO and PRESTIGE ALWAYS which shifted out. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Sent for sampling post-race. PRESTIGE ALWAYS (J300): After the event K C Leung reported that he was instructed to hold a midfield position. He said when his mount commenced well and when caught wide in the early stages he elected to allow PRESTIGE ALWAYS to stride forward to cross DRAGON JOY to avoid covering additional ground. He added as a consequence his mount settled more forward than what had been intended. KOLACHI (J395): Shortly after the start was bumped. In the early stages raced keenly and near the 1000 Metres was steadied to avoid STAR CONTACT. STURDY RUBY (H207): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GOOD LUCK BABE (K016): No report. SUPER UNICORN (H481): Shortly after the start was bumped. In the early stages raced keenly and for some distance near the 1000 Metres was steadied away from DRAGON JOY. HAROLD WIN (J280): After the event M L Yeung stated that his mount, in his opinion, did not run out a strong 1650 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.