08/03/2023  Happy Valley  Race 8

TRADER shifted out at the start and crowded GOLD GOLD BABY, resulting in GOLD GOLD BABY being taken out and bumping WINNING ICEY. NAMJONG SINGS jumped only fairly. From a wide barrier, SHINING GEM was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. HEROIC MASTER lost its right front plate at the 900 Metres. M F Poon (HERO STAR) 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 BEAUTY GLORY, resulting in that horse being taken in onto TRADER, causing TRADER to be unnecessarily crowded and lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled. M F Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 29 March 2023 and to expire on Monday, 3 April 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Poon’s good race riding record. In this incident, ROMAN TURBO, which was following TRADER, was steadied to avoid that horse and shifted out, causing WINNING ICEY to be awkwardly placed on the heels of RED DESERT. HEROIC MASTER, which was following WINNING ICEY and racing keenly, was steadied to avoid that horse. NAMJONG SINGS was also steadied away from the heels of TRADER. After this incident, WINNING ICEY was then obliged to race wide and without cover for the remainder of the event. When questioned regarding the improved performance of GOLD GOLD BABY, Trainer K W Lui stated that at its last start on 1 February 2023, GOLD GOLD BABY was unsuited by the moderate pace and after receiving interference near the 1000 Metres made a respiratory noise which he attributed to GOLD GOLD BABY not having an uninterrupted run. He said tonight GOLD GOLD BABY was suited by the strong early pace which allowed it to relax during the running of the race and provided it with the opportunity to finish the race off strongly. A veterinary inspection of HEROIC MASTER and ROMAN TURBO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINNING ICEY, GOLD GOLD BABY and XPONENTIAL were sent for sampling.