09/02/2022  Happy Valley  Race 9

HELENE WISDOM STAR began awkwardly. SACRED IBIS and INVINCIBLE MISSILE, which began only fairly, were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being taken across, SACRED IBIS raced tight inside INVINCIBLE MISSILE. Shortly after the start, WORLD FAMOUS and AMAZING ONE PLUS bumped. C Wong (WORLD FAMOUS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of EVERYONE’S DELIGHT which resulted in EVERYONE’S DELIGHT, which was proving difficult to settle, having to be checked and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In the circumstances, C Wong was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 20 February 2022 and to expire on Monday, 28 February 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). After the 850 Metres, THE ANOMALY was left racing wide and without cover. GAMEPLAYER TIMES lost its right hind plate passing the 800 Metres. Approaching the 700 Metres, HELENE WISDOM STAR shifted out and was awkwardly placed inside the heels of AMAZING ONE PLUS which also shifted in away from the heels of GAMEPLAYER TIMES. Near the 175 Metres, INVINCIBLE MISSILE raced tight inside THE ANOMALY. A Badel (EVERYONE’S DELIGHT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of WORLD FAMOUS, resulting in that horse being checked and losing its rightful running. A Badel was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 6 March 2022 and to expire on Thursday, 10 March 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Badel was fined $90,000. When WORLD FAMOUS was checked, TOTAL POWER, which was racing to the inside of that horse, was corrected after shifting out and then being awkwardly placed inside the heels of EVERYONE’S DELIGHT passing the winning post. After the race, K Teetan said that after racing wide and without cover in the early stages, he allowed RED MAJESTY to improve after the 1000 Metres to obtain a position closer to the rail. He said it was not until near the 850 Metres that he was able to shift RED MAJESTY in to race one horse off the rail. He said he was of the opinion the amount of use that he had to make of RED MAJESTY to improve its position to avoid racing wide and without cover resulted in the horse then not being able to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of RED MAJESTY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Also after the race, Z Purton reported that HELENE WISDOM STAR made a number of abnormal breathing noises during the race. A veterinary inspection of HELENE WISDOM STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Following the race, K C Leung was not able to offer any reason for the disappointing performance of GORYTUS. He said although GORYTUS raced in a three wide position throughout, the horse always had cover behind THE ANOMALY and travelled well in the early and middle stages. He said he commenced to ride his mount along after the 500 Metres, however, GORYTUS did not quicken as well as he anticipated. He said then in the Straight GORYTUS, after obtaining clear running, was disappointing in its failure to close the race off. He said he did note that GORYTUS was up in weight tonight due to its last start success but apart from this he was not able to offer any reason for the horse’s disappointing performance tonight. A veterinary inspection of GORYTUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GORYTUS, INVINCIBLE MISSILE and EVERYONE’S DELIGHT were sent for sampling.