12/10/2022  Happy Valley  Race 9

BRAVE DREAMS was withdrawn on 11.10.22 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (heart irregularity) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter RED BRICK FIGHTER (L Currie). Before being allowed to race again, BRAVE DREAMS will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. FIGHTING STAR and HARMONY N HOME brushed on jumping. YOUNG VICTORY shifted out at the start and bumped SUGAR SUGAR which then shifted out and inconvenienced HOODABUTTA. After this, HOODABUTTA was steadied to obtain cover. From the outside barriers, HAPPY MATADOR and DURHAM STAR were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. C L Chau (RIVER VIEWS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of TOUCH FAITH, resulting in that horse being taken in across HARMONY N HOME which was hampered and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 2 November 2022 and to expire on Monday, 7 November 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Chau was fined $10,000. Approaching the 900 Metres, FIGHTING STAR commenced to travel keenly and was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of RIVER VIEWS. FIGHTING STAR then shifted out away from the heels of RIVER VIEWS into a position wide and without cover and was allowed to improve its position after the 800 Metres to race outside the lead. Approaching the 800 Metres, TOUCH FAITH momentarily raced tight inside RIVER VIEWS which shifted in when being steadied to obtain cover behind LORIZ. A veterinary inspection of YOUNG VICTORY and TOUCH FAITH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUGAR SUGAR and HARMONY N HOME were sent for sampling.