RACE 5 (301)

Moderately away from gate 14, positioned a length behind the leader on the stands' rail, took the lead 250M, kept on very well to the line and scored.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Near the 450 Metres, when racing greenly, was steadied away from GOOD PROSPECT which was taken out slightly by DAN ATTACK. MASTEROFMYUNIVERSE then lay in in the Home Straight. Sent for sampling post-race.

Began well, raced slightly behind midfield on the middle track, hard ridden from 350M but only showed limited response, weakened final 100M.

Incident Report
From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the 300 Metres until the 200 Metres was held up for clear running. Sent for sampling post-race.

Out with rest, raced towards rear, 2 away from the stands' rail, unable to obtain clear run until 200M, finished off strongly to take 2nd.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start.

Began well, positioned 3 lengths behind the leader on the middle track, peaked on run 300M, weakened final furlong.

Incident Report
After the event, B Thompson confirmed that from a wide barrier he was instructed to take up a position outside the expected leader LUCKY BLESSING. Trainer D Eustace confirmed the instructions issued to B Thompson and said at its first up run on 27 November 2024 he had asked the horse to be ridden in a conservative manner in the early stages with the expected fast early pace. He added today he was of the opinion that SEA SAPPHIRE would be able to hold a more forward position when he expected the early pace of the event not to be run as quickly in the early stages as compared to its last start.

Away well, positioned a length behind the leader, made contact 350M, hard ridden from 300M, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Apprentice P N Wong pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 100 Metres (see CALIFORNIA BLITZ).

Slightly slow out, raced at rear throughout, never a factor.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start. Lay in in the Home Straight. When questioned, K Teetan stated that his instructions were to hold a forward position preferably with cover. He said in the early stages FUN N GLORY was unable to cross runners to its inside and as a result raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. He added due to the wide run he then in the early part of the Home Straight held his mount together before riding it along near the 300 Metres, however, FUN N GLORY did not respond to his riding and gave ground thereafter, which he attributed to the horse racing wide and without cover.

Jumped with them, raced prominently, hard ridden after passing 400M but showed no response, weakened final furlong.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Making the turn after the 900 Metres, when racing greenly, shifted out and was steadied to avoid DAN ATTACK.

Began awkwardly, sent forward to take the lead, peaked and headed 400M, weakened final 250M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Began awkwardly. When questioned, C L Chau stated that on straightening his intention was to shift to the outside of LUCKY BLESSING to secure clear running. He said when LUCKY BLESSING shifted out, he then elected to improve to that runner’s inside in an attempt to secure clear running. He added after being positioned to the inside of LUCKY BLESSING from the 350 Metres, NEWBORN MIRACLE was then taken in for some distance thereafter by that runner and as a consequence near the 150 Metres was steadied when held up on the heels of SEA SAPPHIRE and he was unable to recommence riding his mount out until near the 50 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Out in line, raced in midfield on the stands' side, made no impression final 400M.

Incident Report
After the event, Y L Chung confirmed the instructions were to hold a more forward position today.

Began smartly from gate 13, raced prominently on the stands' side, took the lead 400M, peaked and headed 250M, weakened gradually final 100M.

Incident Report
After the event, L Ferraris stated that his mount jumped only fairly and as a result settled further back than intended. He said when under pressure in the Home Straight TRAVEL GOLF lay in and was still somewhat disappointing. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Bumped shortly after start, raced in midfield, made contact 350M, kept on evenly to the line.

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

Crowded start, raced towards rear on the stands' side, moved a bit closer along the stands' rail in the middle stages, finished off well to take a place without threatening.

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

Taken back from gate 1, raced towards rear on the middle track, 4 lengths back at 400M, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Apprentice P N Wong (LUCKY BLESSING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 100 Metres she allowed her mount to shift in when not clear of NEWBORN MIRACLE, resulting in NEWBORN MIRACLE being taken in across the running of CALIFORNIA BLITZ which lost its rightful running and was checked. Apprentice Wong was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Sunday, 19 January 2025 at Sha Tin. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered her excellent race riding record.

Bumped shortly after start, raced towards rear, nearer to the middle track, no clear run until approaching 200M, showed limited response thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Slow to begin. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.