RACE 2 (177)

Shifted in at start and made contact, sent forward to take the lead, went clear halfway, led by 1-1/4L turning in, kept on well to hold off the challengers.

Incident Report
Crowded near the 1400 Metres. Near the 250 Metres raced tight to the inside of THE AZURE which shifted in before being corrected by its rider. Sent for sampling post-race.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Slightly slow out and crowded, raced slightly behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, made some progress early in straight, peaked 150M, weakened final 100M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
K C Leung (THE AZURE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1400 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of LUCKY TOUCH, resulting in LUCKY TOUCH being taken in across the running of VIVA CHALEUR, causing VIVA CHALEUR to be checked to avoid the heels of LUCKY TOUCH. K C Leung was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 1 December 2024 and to expire on Thursday, 5 December 2024 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his good race riding record. Near the 300 Metres was hampered when taken in by SOLAR GOGO which hung in despite the efforts of its rider. Approaching the 200 Metres VIVA CHALEUR then became held up for clear running between SOLAR GOGO and THE AZURE and made contact with SOLAR GOGO on a number of occasions before obtaining clear running near the 200 Metres.

Moderately away, raced 2 wide slightly behind midfield, 2 to 3 lengths back turning in, kept on well in straight to take a place, always held.

Incident Report
Shortly after the start raced tight between DURHAM STAR and D STAR which shifted in slightly. A Atzeni (ESCAPE ROUTE) pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 50 Metres (see D STAR).

Incident Report
K C Leung pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 1400 Metres (see VIVA CHALEUR). In the early part of the Home Straight lay in before being corrected by its rider. After the event, K C Leung stated that whilst his instructions were to be more forward due to the expected lack of early speed, he did not anticipate leading the event. He said when THE AZURE jumped well, he was able to cross to the front. Trainer F C Lor confirmed the instructions issued.

Stood flat-footed as the start was effected and lost ground, raced at rear, 5 lengths back turning in, failed to make any progress in straight.

Incident Report
Raced tight to the inside of D STAR for some distance near the 150 Metres. Raced tight over the concluding stages.

Incident Report
Over the concluding stages was steadied when crowded between THE AZURE and AMAZING AWARD. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on TRADITION at the request of Trainer Y S Tsui. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea.

Made contact at start, raced in 3rd, saved ground throughout, showed limited response early in straight, weakened final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Crowded over the concluding stages.

Began fairly, raced in 4th, 2 wide, 7 lengths back in the middle stages, closer on turn, kept on same pace in straight.

Incident Report
Near the 1200 Metres became unbalanced when bumped by ESCAPE ROUTE which was taken out by DURHAM STAR (L Hewitson) when that runner shifted to the outside of VIVA CHALEUR. L Hewitson was severely reprimanded and advised he must ensure he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground. Near the 700 Metres was steadied when crowded by SOLAR GOGO (C L Chau) which lay in as its rider commenced a forward move. C L Chau was reprimanded and advised he would be expected to make a greater effort to prevent his mounts from shifting ground. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. A Atzeni (ESCAPE ROUTE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 50 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of DURHAM STAR, resulting in DURHAM STAR being taken in and crowding the running of D STAR which was checked when it lost its rightful running and also contributing to TRADITION being checked to avoid the heels of THE AZURE. A Atzeni was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 4 December 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. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Fast into stride, raced in 2nd, 4 lengths back in the middle stages, closer on turn, 1-1/4L back at 400M, kept on well in straight, inconvenienced near 50M, ran on evenly thereafter.

Incident Report
From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Began fairly, raced 2 wide towards rear, moved a bit closer after passing 800M, 3 lengths back on turn but 4 wide, weakened early in straight, eased final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Hung in in the Home Straight and near the 200 Metres shifted in, made contact with VIVA CHALEUR and became unbalanced.

Taken back from gate 9, raced at rear, 11 lengths back in the middle stages, commenced move 650M, 3 to 4 lengths back turning in, finished off strongly to take 2nd, just beaten by a head. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
No report.