04/01/2023  Happy Valley  Race 4

WINWIN THIRTYTHREE shifted out at the start and bumped KUNG FU TEA. HAPPY JAI JAI began only fairly. CONCERTO was steadied on jumping and shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. RAINBOW LIGHT shifted in at the start and brushed YOUNG LIFE FOREVER. YOUNG LIFE FOREVER then got its head up on a number of occasions when being steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. From the outside barrier, WIDE BLUE YONDER was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. Near the 1600 Metres, KUNG FU TEA shifted in and brushed WINWIN THIRTYTHREE. WINWIN THIRTYTHREE then travelled keenly and proved very difficult to settle. After the 1600 Metres, CORDYCEPS ONE was very awkwardly placed outside the heels of PACKING MONKEYKING when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. COPARTNER FIONN, which was following, was inconvenienced in consequence. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, CONCERTO got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind CORDYCEPS ONE. Approaching and passing the 1100 Metres, WINWIN THIRTYTHREE continued to travel keenly and after the 1100 Metres was taken wider by RAINBOW LIGHT which shifted out from behind KUNGFUMASTER PANDA. WINWIN THIRTYTHREE was then allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead after the 850 Metres. Approaching and passing the 400 Metres, CORDYCEPS ONE was held up for clear running behind HAPPY JAI JAI. In the early part of the Straight, WIDE BLUE YONDER got its head on the side and lay in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of CORDYCEPS ONE. WIDE BLUE YONDER was then shifted out a considerable number of horses to obtain clear running near the 150 Metres. CHILL CHIBI had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and over the concluding stages got its head on the side and lay out under pressure. CONCERTO was shifted to the outside of COPARTNER FIONN passing the 100 Metres to obtain clear running. YOUNG LIFE FOREVER lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. Close to the finishing line, COPARTNER FIONN was awkwardly placed behind YOUNG LIFE FOREVER. Because of this , COPARTNER FIONN was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race. After the race, Apprentice Y L Chung stated that he was given two sets of instructions on how to ride KUNGFUMASTER PANDA this evening. He said if KUNGFUMASTER PANDA began well and was able to take up a forward position, he should allow the horse to do so, however, if KUNGFUMASTER PANDA did not begin well, he should shift his mount across behind runners from the wide barrier. He said when KUNGFUMASTER PANDA began well tonight, he rode his mount positively in the early stages to obtain the lead. K C Leung (PACKING MONKEYKING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 250 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure, resulting in RAINBOW LIGHT being unnecessarily crowded for room outside HAPPY JAI JAI which resulted in PACKING MONKEYKING being bumped on the hindquarters by RAINBOW LIGHT and shifting in further, causing RAINBOW LIGHT to be severely checked. When being severely checked, RAINBOW LIGHT bumped the hindquarters of HAPPY JAI JAI which became unbalanced. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 18 January 2023 and to expire on Sunday, 22 January 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Leung’s good race riding record. A veterinary inspection of WIDE BLUE YONDER, RAINBOW LIGHT, CORDYCEPS ONE and WINWIN THIRTYTHREE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KUNG FU TEA and CHILL CHIBI were sent for sampling.