15/10/2025  Happy Valley  Race 4

FORTUNE WHISKEY (J153): Jumped awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with GREAT LOOKING. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THE PERFECT MATCH (J253): Bumped shortly after the start. The Stewards considered a protest/objection lodged by C L Chau, rider of THE PERFECT MATCH, 3rd placegetter, against THUNDER PRINCE (H Bowman) being declared 2nd placegetter alleging interference near the 200 Metres. After considering the evidence the Stewards found that after being held up for clear running behind KING GLORIOSO approaching the 200 Metres THUNDER PRINCE then shifted out and made contact with THE PERFECT MATCH, resulting in that horse being taken out slightly. As the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had that incident not occurred, THE PERFECT MATCH would have finished in advance of THUNDER PRINCE, the protest/objection was overruled and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. At a subsequent inquiry H Bowman was advised in similar circumstances he should exercise more care. In assessing the incident the Stewards took into consideration that Jockey Bowman advised that he had anticipated KING GLORIOSO to continue to shift in which would have presented him with clear running. When questioned regarding his riding between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres and as to whether there was an opportunity to ride his mount with more vigour C L Chau stated that he was asked to obtain a position where comfortable but did not place his mount under pressure too soon as THE PERFECT MATCH was found to have bled previously. He said with these instructions in mind, after entering the Home Straight, whilst encouraging his horse to improve, he did not ride it with full vigour having regard to his instructions and also the fact that THE PERFECT MATCH lay in during that section of the race. He added that when he reached the 200 Metres he then applied full vigour to his mount and THE PERFECT MATCH finished the race off well following contact with THUNDER PRINCE. Trainer C S Shum confirmed the instructions and the reasons as to why such instructions were issued and expressed satisfaction with Jockey Chau’s riding. Having considered the evidence the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Chau were reasonable in the circumstances. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on THE PERFECT MATCH at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, THE PERFECT MATCH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. UP WITH CHARM (K139): Jumped awkwardly. From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Assistant Trainer W H Ip confirmed that the instructions were to ride the horse in a conservative manner in the early stages to offset the outside barrier. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. IMPENDING LEGACY (K486): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GREAT LOOKING (J198): Bumped at the start. After travelling a short distance blundered. The performance of GREAT LOOKING, which finished tailed out on the second consecutive occasion, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, GREAT LOOKING will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in consecutive barrier trials and be subjected to an official veterinary examination which must include additional diagnostic assessments. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. SIGHT HAPPY (J261): Briefly held up on the Home Turn. THUNDER PRINCE (K017): Held up approaching the 200 Metres. Shifted out at the 200 Metres and made contact with THE PERFECT MATCH. Sent for sampling post-race. INCANTO STAR (K343): Jumped only fairly. Leaving the 150 Metres was disappointed for clear running between SUNNY SING SPIRIT and LUCKY KING which shifted out. KING GLORIOSO (J247): Sent for sampling post-race. LUCKY KING (J449): Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. SUNNY SING SPIRIT (K188): Bumped shortly after the start. GOLDEN FRIENDSHIP (K106): No report.