22/09/2021  Happy Valley  Race 4

SIMPLE DOCTRINE began only fairly and shifted out towards the heels of SUPER COMMANDER, resulting in SIMPLE DOCTRINE losing ground. MOMENTUM GALAXY shifted out at the start and bumped NOIR RIDER. REGENCY STAR shifted in at the start and bumped KA YING SPIRIT which became unbalanced. After this, from a wide barrier, REGENCY STAR was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, TRAVEL DATUK was also steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. Passing the 700 Metres, EUROMISSILE got its head up on a number of occasions when racing keenly and awkwardly placed close to the heels of NOIR RIDER. Then making the turn after the 600 Metres, EUROMISSILE became unbalanced and stumbled when crowded for room between PARTY WARRIOR and SIMPLE DOCTRINE which got its head on the side and made the turn awkwardly. Approaching the 600 Metres, PARTY WARRIOR was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 300 Metres, MOMENTUM GALAXY was awkwardly placed behind CHEVAL VALIANT. Z Purton (KA YING SPIRIT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting out, resulting in NOIR RIDER being unnecessarily crowded for room and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled after being crowded for room between KA YING SPIRIT and PARTY WARRIOR which was bumped by NOIR RIDER. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 10 October 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 14 October 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Purton’s good race riding record. When NOIR RIDER was hampered, REGENCY STAR, which was following and held up for clear running, was shifted in away from the heels of that horse and then was not able to obtain clear running close to the finishing line. Because of this, REGENCY STAR was unable to be tested over the final 50 Metres. PARTY WARRIOR, MOMENTUM GALAXY and FABULOUS EIGHT were sent for sampling.