30/11/2022  Happy Valley  Race 3

BRIGHT KID was slow to begin. From wide barriers, SUPER HONG KONG and WONDER YEARS were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. FLYING MIGHTY was also steadied shortly after the start to obtain a position closer to the rail. C L Chau (PALACE PAL) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1700 Metres he failed to take sufficient measures to prevent his mount from shifting in when not clear of SUPER HONG KONG, resulting in PALACE PAL bumping SUPER HONG KONG and causing SUPER HONG KONG to be hampered when badly crowded for room inside PALACE PAL. C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday. 21 December 2022 and to expire on Sunday, 25 December 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Chau was fined $17,500. Near the 1350 Metres, AMAZING BOY shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of KUNGFUMASTER PANDA, resulting in KUNGFUMASTER PANDA becoming unbalanced and shifting out and in doing so bumping AMAZING BOY. When AMAZING BOY was being shifted out, PALACE PAL, which was being steadied with a view to obtaining a position with cover behind AMAZING BOY, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of AMAZING BOY, resulting in that horse becoming further unbalanced and PALACE PAL being hampered. When KUNGFUMASTER PANDA and AMAZING BOY both became unbalanced, BRIGHT KID, which was following those horses, shifted out and bumped WONDER YEARS, resulting in WONDER YEARS being hampered and having to be steadied away from the heels of PALACE PAL passing the 1300 Metres. Near the 650 Metres, KUNGFUMASTER PANDA and BRIGHT KID bumped as BRIGHT KID improved into tight running inside SUPER HONG KONG. KUNGFUMASTER PANDA was then badly held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and approaching the 350 Metres was steadied away from the heels of LUCKY VICTOR which was giving ground. PALACE PAL, which was following KUNGFUMASTER PANDA, was shifted out away from the heels of that horse in consequence. Near the 450 Metres, CIRCUIT ELITE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER BUDDY which came under pressure. After this, SUPER BUDDY continued to give ground and finished at the rear of the field. After the race, the Veterinary Surgeon reported that SUPER BUDDY had bled from both nostrils. After the 300 Metres, PALACE PAL was shifted to the inside of LUCKY VICTOR to obtain clear running. When questioned, L Currie stated that near the 950 Metres AMAZING BOY commenced to travel keenly even though the race was being run at a good tempo. He said this resulted in AMAZING BOY improving to race close to the heels of SUPER HONG KONG and then shifting out away from behind that horse approaching the 900 Metres. He said when AMAZING BOY shifted out, BRIGHT KID and PALACE PAL improved their positions inside AMAZING BOY. He said this resulted in AMAZING BOY being left racing three wide and without cover after the 900 Metres. He added that rather than continue to race wide and without cover, he elected to allow AMAZING BOY to improve its position after the 800 Metres which the horse was able to do without him having to make use of it. He said AMAZING BOY improved quickly around SUPER BUDDY and LUCKY VICTOR and he was able to cross those runners to race in the lead approaching the 600 Metres. A veterinary inspection of PALACE PAL and SUPER HONG KONG immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BRIGHT KID and VINCY were sent for sampling.