15/01/2025  Happy Valley  Race 8

I CAN (H381): After the event, A Atzeni stated that he was asked to ride his mount where comfortable. He said after commencing well he was able to obtain a position outside the lead in the early stages. He added I CAN travelled satisfactorily during the race before failing to respond to his riding in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. PRAY FOR MIR (J245): On jumping shifted in, made contact with the right side of its barrier and shortly after was steadied when crowded by SOLEIL FIGHTER which shifted out. Bumped near the 1600 Metres. After the event, Z Purton stated that his mount raced too keenly in the early and middle stages and as a result gave ground in the Home Straight, particularly in circumstances where it was withdrawn from its previous engagement on 1 January 2025. Trainer W K Mo stated that after being withdrawn from its engagement on 1 January 2025, PRAY FOR MIR had pleased him in its track work and he expected the horse to run well tonight. Mr Mo agreed with the assessment of Jockey Purton that PRAY FOR MIR raced too keenly in the early and middle stages after being bumped shortly after the start. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of PRAY FOR MIR was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts. Before being allowed to race again, PRAY FOR MIR will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. GALAXY WITNESS (G110): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event and near the 600 Metres made contact with SOLEIL FIGHTER when that runner shifted out. SOLEIL FIGHTER (J127): Shifted out at the start and was bumped. In the middle stages raced keenly and near the 800 Metres shifted out when being checked away from PRAY FOR MIR. Shifted out near the 600 Metres and was bumped. Over the concluding stages shifted in slightly and made contact with DEFINITIVE. Prior to declaring weighed-in, the Stewards viewed the patrol film to ascertain if there were grounds for a protest/objection. When the Stewards were satisfied that the contact between DEFINITIVE and SOLEIL FIGHTER had occurred principally due to SOLEIL FIGHTER shifting in over the concluding stages, they declined to lodge a protest/objection and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. Sent for sampling post-race. GOLDEN ARTIE (G434): After the 1600 Metres was bumped by GLORIOUS JOURNEY. Near the 700 Metres was steadied to avoid SOLEIL FIGHTER. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SETANTA (G095): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. DEFINITIVE (K037): When questioned regarding the horse leading, K Teetan stated that with blinkers being applied tonight he was asked to ride the horse in the lead. He said such instructions were issued as DEFINITIVE had raced well in the lead wearing blinkers when it raced in New Zealand prior to arriving in Hong Kong. Trainer D Eustace confirmed the instructions issued and the reasons as to why such instructions were issued. Sent for sampling post-race. GLORIOUS JOURNEY (J137): Near the 1600 Metres became unbalanced when bumped by PRAY FOR MIR which was taken out slightly by SOLEIL FIGHTER. BEATO (H090): After the 1600 Metres was steadied away from GLORIOUS JOURNEY. After the 700 Metres was checked to avoid GOLDEN ARTIE. COMET SPLENDIDO (G071): No report. RED MAJESTY (E028): No report. FOREVER GLORIOUS (G229): Jumped awkwardly and lost ground.