09/07/2025  Happy Valley  Race 3

JOLLY RULER (E346): Bumped at the start. Near the 150 Metres was steadied when crowded between SKY SONG and MEOWTH which shifted in when being checked. After the event A Hamelin stated that his mount was unsuited by the early stages of the event being run inside of standard time. He said after his mount was crowded near the 150 Metres it then was unable to finish the race off thereafter. After the event the horse collapsed in the holding stables and was treated by the Veterinary Officer. Samples were taken from the horse. CALIFORNIA DEEPLY (G451): Near the 400 Metres was taken wider when JOLLY RULER shifted to the outside of BUNTA BABY to improve. A short distance later CALIFORNIA DEEPLY was then steadied when crowded between JOLLY RULER and MEOWTH (L Ferraris) which shifted in before being corrected by its rider. L Ferraris was advised to exercise more care. After the event M Chadwick stated that his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event. He said after being crowded on the Home Turn CALIFORNIA DEEPLY did not finish the race off in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MEOWTH (J487): Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. C L Chau (VICTOR THE RAPID) 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 MEOWTH, resulting in MEOWTH having to be checked to avoid VICTOR THE RAPID. In accordance with previous practices, C L Chau was fined the sum of $120,000 in lieu of a four-day suspension. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his poor race riding record. After the event L Ferraris stated that his mount, which was having its first race start at Happy Valley, did not appreciate racing on this track as it ran wide making the turns. SPEEDY TRIDENT (K230): No report. TACTICAL COMMAND (H197): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Sent for sampling post-race. BUNTA BABY (J465): Bumped shortly after the start. Near the 150 Metres was steadied to avoid JOLLY RULER. FLOWING RICHES (K293): In the early stages was caught wide and as a result making the first turn was eased to obtain a position with cover behind the leaders. After the event M L Yeung stated that his mount was obliged to race very wide making the Home Turn when taken wider by VICTOR THE RAPID. He said as a result his mount did not finish the race off in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VICTOR THE RAPID (J393): Jumped only fairly and then was crowded by NEBRASKAN which shifted out. C L Chau pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 150 Metres (see MEOWTH). Sent for sampling post-race. DREAMING WINNER (K046): Shifted out at the start, made contact with JOLLY RULER and became unbalanced. Near the 600 Metres made contact with the running rail. Held up between the 400 Metres and the 250 Metres. NEBRASKAN (J304): Sent for sampling post-race. SKY SONG (J159): After being crossed by NEBRASKAN near the 600 Metres then hung in and made contact with the running rail. On the Home Turn continued to hang in and proved reluctant to shift to the outside of NEBRASKAN near the 300 Metres. RUN YES RUN (J264): From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Had difficulty obtaining clear running between the 300 Metres and the 150 Metres. Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out when improving behind NEBRASKAN. MING SUPREME (K430): Withdrawn on 7.7.25 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (left eye injury) and replaced by Standby Declared Starter VICTOR THE RAPID. Before being allowed to race again, MING SUPREME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.