01/05/2019  Happy Valley  Race 8

ALL YOU KNOW undertook its required barrier trial on 16 April 2019 without blinkers and accordingly is required to race without that gear. Trainer R Gibson was fined the sum of $2,000 for failing to submit a gear change by removing blinkers from ALL YOU KNOW, a declared runner in this race, by the required time. LUCKY GIRL began only fairly. VIGOR FAME began awkwardly and lost ground. After this, VIGOR FAME was ridden along to make up lost ground and travelled wide and without cover before being able to shift in to race outside the lead passing the 1100 Metres after which point AMAZING SATCHMO was left racing wide and without cover. From a wide barrier, VILLA FIONN was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. ALL YOU KNOW was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, ARCADA was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of MERRYGOWIN (Apprentice C Wong) which shifted in when not properly clear. Apprentice Wong was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, VILLA FIONN was shifted in across the heels of ALL YOU KNOW (C Schofield) after initially racing outside that horse to be inside of the line of ALL YOU KNOW near the 1400 Metres. ALL YOU KNOW was then shifted in soon after the 1400 Metres and raced tight inside the heels of LUCKY GIRL which shifted out marginally when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOD OF DRAGON. As LUCKY GIRL then shifted in, ALL YOU KNOW shifted in across the running of VILLA FIONN which was severely checked. A charge of careless riding issued against C Schofield was not proceeded with after he pleaded not guilty to the charge and made further submissions. In electing not to proceed with the charge of careless riding, the Stewards were not able to establish to the necessary degree whether VILLA FIONN had improved its position to be racing inside the heels of ALL YOU KNOW when Jockey Schofield made the decision to shift his mount inwards away from the heels of LUCKY GIRL. As the Stewards believed that there was a doubt as to whether VILLA FIONN had improved its position sufficiently to be racing inside the heels of ALL YOU KNOW at this time, they did not take any further action other than to advise Jockey Schofield to ensure that he rides with due care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. After the 900 Metres, LUCKY GIRL commenced to prove very difficult to settle and got its head up when being checked away from the heels of GOD OF DRAGON. VILLA FIONN, which was following, shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY GIRL in consequence. Over the final 50 Metres, VINCY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOD OF DRAGON and consequently was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. A Domeyer, who was riding in Hong Kong for the first time this evening, was spoken to regarding using the whip on ARCADA on two occasions behind the barriers. After the race, it was noted that AMAZING SATCHMO had shifted its left front plate. A veterinary inspection of VINCY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The Stewards will interview Z Purton regarding the disappointing performance of VINCY prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 5 May 2019. A veterinary inspection of MERRYGOWIN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. VINCY, ARCADA and VIGOR FAME were sent for sampling. <2/5/2019 Additional Veterinary Report>MERRYGOWIN, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. MERRYGOWIN was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer P O’Sullivan this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, MERRYGOWIN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that PERFECT PAIR was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, PERFECT PAIR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. <5/5/2019 1 May 2019 Happy Valley racemeeting – Race 8 (628)>The Stewards today questioned Z Purton, the rider of VINCY, regarding the performance of that horse. Z Purton stated that he was able to obtain a position in about midfield in the early stages, however, in the middle stages got shuffled back further from the leaders than had been anticipated due to VIGOR FAME pressing on to race outside the lead after the 1100 Metres. He said a number of horses were able to improve their position after the 700 Metres which VINCY was not able to do due to racing on the rail inside GOD OF DRAGON. He said when the tempo of the race quickened near the 400 Metres, VINCY was left flat-footed as the horse generally takes time to wind up, however, was commencing to finish off the race well after the 200 Metres when VINCY was then held up for clear running over the final 50 Metres. He added, in his opinion, VINCY’s run was better than it appeared due to the circumstances of the race.