RACE 8 (18)

Began well, sent forward to take the lead, led by a length, travelled comfortably throughout, kicked clear early in straight, ran on strongly to the line, won by 3 lengths.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Moderately away from gate 1, raced in midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter. (Mucus.)

Incident Report
From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When questioned regarding his riding, H Bowman stated that from a wide barrier he allowed his mount to settle towards the rear of the field as instructed. He also stated that he was instructed to endeavour to take inside runs towards the rail if possible. He added making the Home Turn when positioned behind RIGHTEOUS ARION he elected to improve to that runner’s inside when RIGHTEOUS ARION shifted out after the 300 Metres. He said soon after when placed under pressure REWARD SMILE responded well to his riding and as a result he was required to make a quick decision to find clear running which he attempted to obtain to the inside of NEVER TOO SOON. He said when NEVER TOO SOON shifted in, he was then obliged to steady to avoid that runner’s heels and shift to the outside where REWARD SMILE obtained clear running approaching the 150 Metres. Sent for sampling post-race.

Began only fairly and bumped, raced towards rear on the inside, saved ground throughout, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
Shifted out at the start and was bumped. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Taken back from gate 7, raced at rear on the outside, 9 lengths back on turn, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start.

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped with them, raced 2 wide in midfield, peaked on turn, weakened final 400M, eased final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.) (Mucus.)

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped only fairly, raced 2 wide at rear, 8 lengths back on turn, finished off well to make frame without threatening.

Incident Report
K De Melo pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 200 Metres (see SUGAR SUGAR).

Bumped start, raced prominently on the outside early, dropped to 3rd approaching 700M, 2 to 3 lengths back in the middle stages, kept on well in straight without threatening the winner.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start. K De Melo (NEVER TOO SOON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of SUGAR SUGAR, resulting in SUGAR SUGAR having to be checked to avoid the heels of NEVER TOO SOON. K De Melo was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 25 September 2024 at Happy Valley. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his excellent race riding record.

Incident Report
After the event, Z Purton stated that his mount raced keenly in the early stages but nonetheless was disappointing in the Home Straight in that it failed to respond to his riding. Trainer P C Ng stated that after having to be ridden along in the early stages to hold a forward position KA YING CHEER was disadvantaged by the pace of the event easing which resulted in KA YING CHEER racing keenly and losing momentum during the middle stages. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Sent for sampling post-race.

Out with rest, raced towards rear of midfield on the outside, 6 to 7 lengths back on turn, made some progress in straight to take a place, no threat to the first two.

Incident Report
Bumped on jumping.

Incident Report
After the event, L Hewitson stated that he was obliged to make use of his mount from a wide barrier to go forward. He said as a result ONE FOR ALL failed to respond to his riding in the Home Straight. Noted to be making an abnormal respiratory noise after the race. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Began awkwardly, raced towards rear on the outside early, sent forward after passing 1050M, raced in 2nd approaching 700M, a length back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened gradually final furlong.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly.