RACE 5 (281)

Began only fairly, raced towards rear on the inside, saved ground on turn, no clear run until final 100M, kept on same pace to the line.

Incident Report
C L Chau pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference after the 900 Metres (see NOBLE DELUXE). C L Chau was warned for using his whip in a manner where his whip arm was raised above his shoulder height on a number of occasions over the concluding stages. Sent for sampling post-race.

Out with rest, raced 2 wide towards rear, angled out 600M, 4-1/2L back turning in, kept on same pace in straight.

Incident Report
Near the 450 Metres attempted to obtain a run between HAPPY PARK and SKY JOY when there was doubtful room. When HAPPY PARK then shifted out, SUNNY DA BEST was checked when disappointed for this run and as a result was held up for clear running between the 450 Metres and the 200 Metres where it shifted to the outside of SKY JOY. Sent for sampling post-race.

Jumped with them, raced behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, no clear run in straight, not able to test properly.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly.

Began fairly and made contact, raced prominently but 3 wide early, 2 wide from 900M, challenged the leader turning in, took the lead early in straight, peaked and headed 300M, weakened final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Approaching the winning post was crowded by SKY JOY (C L Chau) which shifted in whilst being ridden along. C L Chau was reprimanded and advised he must stop riding and straighten his mounts when they shift ground whilst not clear.

Taken back from gate 13, raced 3 wide with cover behind midfield, a bit closer on turn, closed off well to take a place without threatening the first two.

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was crowded and became badly unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters.

Bumped shortly after start, raced 2 wide behind midfield, angled out 500M, 4 to 5 lengths back turning in, not enough room early in straight, made minor progress thereafter.

Incident Report
On jumping shifted in, was bumped on the headquarters and became unbalanced. From a wide barrier was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early part of the Home Straight lay in and was reluctant to shift to the outside of CIRCUIT VICTORY. Near the 300 Metres FLYING DOUBLE then had some difficulty obtaining clear running when improving into a narrow run between MULTIBINGO and CIRCUIT VICTORY.

Crowded shortly after start, raced at rear, 8 lengths back in the middle stages, commenced move 550M, very wide into straight, made no progress in the run home.

Incident Report
No report.

Bumped shortly after start, tracked leaders on the inside, saved ground on turn, no clear run early in straight, cleared after passing 150M, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
C L Chau (SKY JOY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that after the 900 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of NOBLE DELUXE, resulting in NOBLE DELUXE losing its running and being checked to avoid the heels of SKY JOY. C L Chau was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 22 January 2025 and to expire on Monday, 27 January 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Chau was fined $25,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his neutral race riding record.

Jumped well from a wide draw, sent forward to race prominently, took the lead 1150M, challenged by rival turning in, peaked and headed early in straight, weakened final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Shifted out shortly after the start, was bumped heavily and became unbalanced. Noted to have lost its right front plate after the race.

Moderately away from the widest draw, raced in midfield on the outside, moved a bit closer after passing 750M, 2 lengths or so back turning in, finished off well to take 2nd, always just held.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Moderately away from gate 1, raced in midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, angled out after passing 500M, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly.

Slowly away, raced at rear on the outside, very wide into straight, made some progress early in straight, no extra final 150M.

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped awkwardly and bumped, raced 2 wide in midfield, similar position on turn, no clear run early in straight, steadied near 250M, made no impression thereafter.

Incident Report
No report.

Bumped start, took the early lead, headed 1150M, positioned 1 out 1 back in the middle stages, angled out 500M, retook the lead 300M, kept on well to the line and scored.

Incident Report
On jumping was checked when crowded between FLYING DOUBLE which shifted in and away from SKY JOY and MASTER TRILLION which shifted out when racing tight to the outside of CIRCUIT VICTORY.