26/04/2023  Happy Valley  Race 1

CIRCUIT ELITE was slow to begin and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. EUROMISSILE jumped awkwardly. GLORIOUS LOVER jumped only fairly and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages From a wide barrier, TO INFINITY was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 1400 Metres, CIRCUIT ELITE commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from the heels of RED IMPACT. Also approaching the 1400 Metres, ANGELS HUNTER (C L Chau) shifted in when not quite clear, resulting in BARON ZEE (Apprentice Y L Chung) being briefly taken in, crowding HANG’S CHOICE and EUROMISSILE. When BARON ZEE then remained racing tight to the outside of HANG’S CHOICE, HANG’S CHOICE and EUROMISSILE made contact, resulting in EUROMISSILE making contact with the running rail and becoming unbalanced. C L Chau and Apprentice Chung were advised to exercise more care. A short distance later, EUROMISSILE and HANG’S CHOICE were again crowded for room to the inside of BARON ZEE which was then racing tight to the inside of HAPPY JAI JAI (H Bowman) which shifted in, resulting in insufficient racing room being left for runners to the inside of HAPPY JAI JAI for a short distance before HAPPY JAI JAI was corrected by its rider. H Bowman was advised to exercise more care. H T Mo (MISTER ARM) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of THETA HEDGE, resulting in that horse having to be checked to avoid the heels of MISTER ARM and losing the running to which it was rightfully entitled. In the circumstances, H T Mo was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 30 April 2023 and to expire on Monday, 8 May 2023 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). MEDIC ELITE raced wide and without cover in the early stages and was allowed to stride forward to obtain a position outside the lead near the 900 Metres. BARON ZEE was left racing wide and without cover from the 900 Metres. CIRCUIT ELITE lost its left front plate near the 700 Metres. RED IMPACT was held up for clear running making the Home Turn and approaching the 150 Metres was steadied and shifted to the outside of TO INFINITY to continue into clear running. Near the 250 Metres, ANGELS HUNTER endeavoured to secure tight running between HANG’S CHOICE and BARON ZEE, however, lay in and as a result became held up behind BARON ZEE until near the 200 Metres. Again near the 150 Metres, ANGELS HUNTER had difficulty obtaining clear running when held up behind HANG’S CHOICE. Also near the 250 Metres, when endeavouring to improve to the inside of THETA HEDGE, MISTER ARM was disappointed for clear running when THETA HEDGE shifted in, resulting in MISTER ARM being steadied near the 200 Metres. Near the 100 Metres, THETA HEDGE, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied when positioned tight to the inside of MEDIC ELITE which shifted in slightly. Over the concluding stages, S De Sousa, the rider of GLORIOUS LOVER, could not fully test his mount to the finish due to RED IMPACT shifting out slightly. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding of Apprentice Y L Chung (BARON ZEE), 5th placegetter, over the concluding stages did not affect the horse’s finishing position, he was nonetheless reminded of his obligation to ensure that he fully rides his mounts out to the finish of the race. When questioned regarding the improved performance of TO INFINITY compared to its last start at Happy Valley on 12 April 2023, Trainer J Richards advised that on that occasion TO INFINITY was unsuited by racing towards the back of the field in what was a slowly run event with an apprentice on. He said tonight TO INFINITY was aided by the services of a senior rider and also advantaged by a stronger pace similar to what it received when successful at Happy Valley on 22 March 2023. When questioned regarding his riding in the Straight, H Bowman (HAPPY JAI JAI) stated that on straightening he endeavoured to improve between MEDIC ELITE and BARON ZEE, however, HAPPY JAI JAI was inclined to lay in and reluctant to proceed into this run. He added as a result HAPPY JAI JAI was held up behind MEDIC ELITE and near the 150 Metres when BARON ZEE then shifted in, the run between BARON ZEE and MEDIC ELITE closed and as a result he could not fully ride his mount to the finish of the event. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY JAI JAI immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of CIRCUIT ELITE and THETA HEDGE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THETA HEDGE, TO INFINITY and HANG’S CHOICE were sent for sampling.