RACE 9 (336)

Taken back from gate 12, raced behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, kept to inside after straightening and finished off evenly.

Incident Report
From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. C Y Ho pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 150 Metres (see SUNSTRIDER). Sent for sampling post-race.

Average to begin, raced in midfield on the inside, angled out after passing 400M, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Shifted in at the start and was bumped. Sent for sampling post-race.

Slowly away, raced 2 wide at rear, hard ridden after passing 500M, very wide into straight, made no progress in the run home.

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

Moderately away from gate 1, positioned 2 lengths behind the leader on the inside, saved ground on turn, no clear run until approaching final 100M, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
<12/1/2025 8 January 2025 Happy Valley Racemeeting – Race 9 (336)> H Bowman was interviewed relative to the tactics he adopted in the early stages where he shifted to a position one-off the rail near the 1500 Metres to follow SUNSTRIDER. H Bowman stated that due to the pattern of racing during the meeting, he felt it was advantageous to endeavour to get his horse to the outside, particularly as NOBLE PURSUIT races best when in this position. He said for this reason he elected to shift out to follow SUNSTRIDER after the 1500 Metres as he felt such manoeuvre would allow SUNSTRIDER to shift to the rail and provide NOBLE PURSUIT with a trailing position behind DILBAGH. He said when SUNSTRIDER remained racing one-off, SIMPLE HEDGE was able to improve to that runner’s inside and as a result NOBLE PURSUIT settled further back in the field than what he had anticipated. He added along the Back Straight whilst the opportunity was available to shift in and follow SIMPLE HEDGE, he elected to shift out to attempt to position his mount to the outside but was prevented from doing so when SPEED DRAGON held its position to his outside. He said as a result near the 550 Metres he was forced to go back to the inside to start a forward move and follow SIMPLE HEDGE. H Bowman reinforced his views that NOBLE PURSUIT was disadvantaged by racing to the inside and also was not assisted by the track pattern on the night as it was forced to make a run on the inside.

Jumped well, sent forward to take the lead, led by 3/4L turning in, kept on well in straight but unable to hold off the first two late.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced at tail, 8 lengths or so back, very wide turning in, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
After the event, K C Leung reported that when the pace of the event eased in the middle stages his mount raced keenly and got its head up when being steadied away from SAMARKAND. He said as a result SUPER UNICORN was one-paced to the finish of the event. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Sent for sampling post-race.

Jumped with them, raced 2 wide in midfield, commenced move 450M, finished off strongly to score by a narrow margin.

Incident Report
C L Chau will be warned in relation to using his whip in a manner where his whip arm was raised above shoulder height on several occasions over the concluding stages.

Jumped well, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, same position on turn, peaked and raced tight early in straight, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Crowded shortly after the start by NOBLE PURSUIT which shifted out. C Y Ho (SPEED DRAGON) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 150 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of SUNSTRIDER, resulting in SUNSTRIDER having to be checked to avoid SPEED DRAGON. C Y Ho was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 12 January 2025 and to expire on Thursday, 16 January 2025 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.

Average to begin, positioned 2 wide, 2 lengths or so back, angled out 350M, short of room and hampered near 200M, ran on evenly thereafter.

Incident Report
No report.

Incident Report
Near the 700 Metres was steadied to avoid SUPER UNICORN. For some distance near the 250 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced at rear on the inside, angled out 400M, very wide into straight, made little progress in straight.

Incident Report
On jumping was crowded by CALIFORNIATOTALITY which shifted in. After the event, M Chadwick reported that his mount was obliged to race wide and without cover for the majority of the event and as a result was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Out with rest, raced 2 wide slightly behind midfield, angled out after passing 400M, finished off strongly, just beaten by a narrow margin. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Trainer C W Chang confirmed the instructions were to lead tonight’s event. He said TOY SOLTERO had pleased the stable leading into the race but may not have appreciated leading and this was the only explanation he could offer for TOY SOLTERO weakening in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of TOY SOLTERO was considered disappointing as compared to its previous race starts. Before being allowed to race again, TOY SOLTERO will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.