31/10/2021  Happy Valley  Race 4

TAILOR MADE shifted in at the start and bumped MURRAY’S PARTNERS which began only fairly. KUNGFUMASTER PANDA shifted in at the start and brushed WINNING VOLATILITY. From wide barriers, RED ELYSEES, FLYING MIGHTY and VILLA FIONN were all steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. KUNGFUMASTER PANDA was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. L Ferraris (METHANE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that at the 1400 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of OWNERS’ STAR, resulting in that horse having to be checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. L Ferraris was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 28 November 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 2 December 2021 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Ferraris was fined $12,500. After the 1200 Metres, RED ELYSEES shifted out away from the heels of WINNING VOLATILITY which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RED IMPACT. This resulted in RED ELYSEES travelling wide and without cover. RED ELYSEES was then allowed to improve into a forward position along the Back Straight, however, continued to race wide and without cover. WINNING VOLATILITY made the turn after the 1100 Metres awkwardly, shifted out and bumped FLYING MIGHTY which after this travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 900 Metres, OWNERS’ STAR momentarily raced in restricted room between METHANE and RED ELYSEES, both of which shifted ground. Also passing the 900 Metres, WINNING VOLATILITY was bumped by FLYING MIGHTY which shifted in. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, METHANE was bumped by TAILOR MADE which shifted out marginally. Passing the 400 Metres, MURRAY’S PARTNERS was awkwardly placed behind TAILOR MADE. Then rounding the Home Turn, MURRAY’S PARTNERS was shifted in away from the heels of TAILOR MADE which then got its head on the side and lay in. Passing the 300 Metres, RED IMPACT raced tight between RED ELYSEES and OWNERS’ STAR when improving into restricted running between those horses. KUNGFUMASTER PANDA had difficulty obtaining clear running from after the 300 Metres until near the 100 Metres. At the 150 Metres, MURRAY’S PARTNERS was directed to the outside of LUCKY DIAMOND after being disappointed for running inside that horse. Over the concluding stages, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA was awkwardly placed inside the heels of RED ELYSEES. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of METHANE, L Ferraris stated that after his saddle shifted back on jumping, he was able to position METHANE behind the leaders and the horse travelled well in the early and middle stages. He said after METHANE became unbalanced after the 600 Metres, he had to ride his mount along and METHANE did not respond to his riding as he expected it would. He said he was able to shift to the outside of BLAZING BEAT and into clear running inside RED ELYSEES rounding the Home Turn, however, METHANE did not quicken and then was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of METHANE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance of WINNING VOLATILITY, K C Leung stated that, in his opinion, the circumstances of today’s race did not provide WINNING VOLATILITY with the opportunity to finish off the race as it had previously. He said after shifting across behind runners, he was able to obtain a position behind midfield and WINNING VOLATILITY initially travelled well. He said when the pace of the race slackened after the 1200 Metres, WINNING VOLATILITY commenced to travel keenly and then after bumping FLYING MIGHTY near the 900 Metres, this resulted in WINNING VOLATILITY continuing to travel keenly when the pace of the race was only moderate. He said the tempo commenced to increase after the 700 Metres and WINNING VOLATILITY came off the bridle and was not able to quicken with the increase in tempo. He added WINNING VOLATILITY was under heavy pressure prior to the Home Turn and then due to the circumstances of the race was not able to respond to his riding in the Straight. A veterinary inspection of WINNING VOLATILITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of TAILOR MADE immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea and also found it to be distressed. Before being allowed to race again, TAILOR MADE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. TAILOR MADE, LUCKY DIAMOND and RED IMPACT were sent for sampling.