01/02/2023  Happy Valley  Race 8

EVERYONE’S VICTORY was withdrawn on 31.1.23 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter EQUALETTA BLITZ (L Hewitson). Before being allowed to race again, EVERYONE’S VICTORY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EQUALETTA BLITZ was slow to begin. SUGAR SUGAR jumped only fairly, lay out on the Home Turn and approaching the 300 Metres was shifted to the outside of the heels of YO BEAUTY. From wide barriers, BRAVE STAR and LESLIE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. ADIOS lost its right hind plate near the 800 Metres. A Hamelin (YO BEAUTY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 800 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of ADIOS, resulting in that horse being taken across and crowding the running of SUGAR SUGAR which resulted in SUGAR SUGAR being taken in toward the running of COMPASSION SPIRIT which was also unnecessarily crowded, lost its running and was checked. A Hamelin was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 15 February 2023 and to expire on Monday, 20 February 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Hamelin good race riding record. The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in as they were of the view that an incident occurred near the 150 Metres which cast doubt on whether HERE COMES TED should be declared the winner. The Stewards found that at this point HERE COMES TED shifted in, taking the running of HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE (K Teetan) which had been placed 3rd. The Stewards found that the interference suffered by HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE had been attributable to HERE COMES TED but could not be satisfied that had the interference not have occurred, HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE would have finished in advance of HERE COMES TED and accordingly declared weighed-in on the Judge’s placings. It should be noted that K Teetan did not lodge a protest/objection. L Ferraris (HERE COMES TED) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE, resulting in that horse losing its rightful running and being checked and also contributing to HUMBLE STAR, which was racing to the inside of HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE, being badly crowded for room. L Ferraris was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 19 February 2023 and to expire on Thursday, 23 February 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Ferraris’ good race riding record. In this incident COMPASSION SPIRIT (M L Yeung) shifted out and contributed to the crowding to HUMBLE STAR. M L Yeung was advised that in similar circumstances he should stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he did on this occasion and exercise more care in future. Over the concluding stages, LESLIE, when finishing the race off well, was awkwardly placed close to the heels of MAJESTIC KNIGHT. After the race, ADIOS was reported to have sustained an abrasion to the right hind fetlock. A veterinary inspection of HARMONY N BLESSED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. ADIOS, HERE COMES TED and MAJESTIC KNIGHT were sent for sampling.