09/06/2021  Happy Valley  Race 8

EXPLOSIVE WITNESS shifted in at the start and bumped MULTIMILLION which in turn shifted in and bumped LUCKY MORE. WE THE SOUTH (M F Poon), which was fractious in the barriers, lifted its front feet off the ground as the start was effected and consequently began only fairly. WE THE SOUTH was then ridden along to obtain a forward position and near the 700 Metres was left racing wide and without cover. After the race, M F Poon reported that he attributed the horse’s disappointing performance to the manner in which it began. He said because of the manner in which WE THE SOUTH began, the horse was not able to lead comfortably as it had done in the past and then after having to race wide and without cover was unable to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of WE THE SOUTH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. From a wide barrier, MASSIVE POCKET was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, SHINING GEM failed to muster speed. M Chadwick (HARMONY AND RICH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 600 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MULTIMILLION, resulting in that horse being unnecessarily crowded for room and being checked. In the circumstances of this case and having regard to the fact that Jockey Chadwick has a deferred suspension from riding in races yet to be served, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for his licence to ride his races to be suspended for a period to commence on Thursday, 8 July 2021 on which day a previously incurred period of suspension from riding in races is to expire with this period of suspension to expire on Thursday, 15 July 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Chadwick was fined $200,000. Passing the 300 Metres, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of VALIANT DREAM when being shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. When being shifted to the outside of VALIANT DREAM after the 250 Metres, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS shifted out and bumped MASSIVE POCKET. Passing the 150 Metres, FLYING GENIUS was momentarily awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY MORE which got its head on the side and lay out. Z Purton stated that LUCKY MORE, in his opinion, did not handle the Happy Valley track at its first time of asking. He said his mount did not travel comfortably for the majority of the race and after being crossed by MULTIMILLION approaching the 600 Metres, LUCKY MORE was then awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse when MULTIMILLION lost ground near the 550 Metres. He said after this he had to ride LUCKY MORE along to improve its position and the horse initially responded to his riding, however, came under heavy pressure at the entrance to the Straight and then finished off the race only fairly. A veterinary inspection of LUCKY MORE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and also found the horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY MORE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LUCKY MORE, HARMONY AND RICH and SHINING ACE were sent for sampling.