05/05/2021  Happy Valley  Race 1

ZELUS began only fairly. BOOMING WELL shifted out at the start, resulting in LITTLE BIRD losing ground when crowded for room inside MASTER ALBERT. Despite being ridden along in the early stages, ORIENTAL AMIGO failed to muster speed and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain a position closer to the rail. Near the 1150 Metres, NOBLE DESIRE was crowded for room inside COLONEL which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the efforts of its rider. Near the 1000 Metres, BOOMING WELL was steadied when awkwardly placed close to the heels of E HONEY. ORIENTAL AMIGO, which was racing outside BOOMING WELL, was inconvenienced in consequence. C Schofield (COLONEL) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HAPPY PROFIT, resulting in that horse being directed in onto MASTER ALBERT which was unnecessarily crowded for room and was checked and in turn shifted in and contributed to crowding to IMMENSE HEDGE to the inside of MASTER ALBERT. C Schofield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 26 May 2021 and to expire on Monday, 31 May 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Schofield was fined $30,000. LITTLE BIRD, which was following IMMENSE HEDGE, was steadied away from the heels of that horse passing the 900 Metres. The Stewards found that IMMENSE HEDGE had contributed to the interference suffered by that horse in that whilst IMMENSE HEDGE had received pressure on its outside from MASTER ALBERT, they were of the opinion that IMMENSE HEDGE had also made the turn awkwardly and shifted out. After the 1000 Metres, NOBLE DESIRE was left racing very wide and without cover and was allowed to improve its position approaching and passing the 800 Metres to race outside the lead after the 600 Metres. When being steadied after the 800 Metres to obtain cover behind MASTER ALBERT, E HONEY got its head up and proved difficult to settle. Near the 250 Metres, HAPPY PROFIT was momentarily awkwardly placed behind COLONEL after being disappointed for running between that horse and NOBLE DESIRE which shifted in. Passing the 200 Metres, HAPPY PROFIT then raced tight inside NOBLE DESIRE when improving into restricted room between that horse and COLONEL. When questioned, J Moreira stated that after the incident near the 950 Metres, IMMENSE HEDGE did not feel completely comfortable in its action. He said he placed IMMENSE HEDGE under heavy pressure after the 500 Metres and after failing to respond to his riding as anticipated, the horse’s action deteriorated in the early part of the Straight. He said because IMMENSE HEDGE did not feel comfortable in its action, he desisted in riding the horse aggressively and resorted to riding it mostly hands and heels, however, IMMENSE HEDGE gave ground noticeably over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of IMMENSE HEDGE immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg and to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. Before being allowed to race again, IMMENSE HEDGE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of E HONEY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. E HONEY, NOBLE DESIRE and HAPPY PROFIT were sent for sampling.