RACE 8 (374)

Jumped well from a tricky draw, taken back to race behind midfield on the outside, very wide into straight, failed to make any progress in the run home.

Incident Report
A Atzeni pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 1000 Metres (see THUNDER PRINCE). Sent for sampling post-race.

Slightly slow out, raced 2 wide better than midfield, travelled keenly in the early stages, made contact near 550M, 2-3/4L back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened final furlong.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped shortly after start, taken back to race at rear on the inside, saved ground on turn, made some progress early in straight, peaked on run 100M, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
No report.

Began smartly, tracked leaders on the inside, saved ground throughout, showed very good response in straight, took the lead 150M, kept on strongly to the line and scored. (Jockey dropped whip 100M.)

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly.

Average to begin, raced 2 wide behind midfield, 4 lengths back turning in, made minor progress in straight.

Incident Report
No report.

Bumped shortly after start, raced 3 wide better than midfield, made contact near 550M, dropped to midfield on turn, very wide into straight, kept on same pace in the run home. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Jumped well, sent forward to take the lead, led by 1/2L turning in, kept on well early in straight, peaked and headed 150M, ran on evenly to take 2nd.

Incident Report
No report.

Began well from a wide draw, raced prominently but trapped wide, dropped to midfield on turn, weakened early in straight when hard run took toll.

Incident Report
No report.

Moderately away from a wide draw, raced prominently but trapped very wide in the early stages, 2 wide from 500M, peaked early in straight, weakened final 150M. (See Racing Incidents.) (Lame left front leg next day morning.)

Incident Report
After the event, K H Chan could offer no explanation for his mount’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Taken back from the widest draw, raced at rear on the outside, 6-1/2L back turning in, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. A Atzeni (BEAUTY DESTINY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of THUNDER PRINCE, resulting in THUNDER PRINCE having to be checked when crowded between BEAUTY DESTINY and SUGAR SUGAR. A Atzeni was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 5 March 2025 and to expire on Monday, 10 March 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Atzeni was fined $60,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his neutral race riding record. THUNDER PRINCE, which was having its first race start at Happy Valley, raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages and for some distance approaching the 600 Metres was steadied away from SUGAR SUGAR. In this incident, THUNDER PRINCE shifted out and made the turn near the 600 Metres wider. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Jumped with them, raced 3 wide behind midfield, dropped towards rear 500M, 5 lengths back turning in, made minor progress in the run home.

Incident Report
After the event, M F Poon expressed concern with the horse’s action during the race. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Moderately away from gate 1, raced slightly behind midfield on the inside, moved a bit closer along the rail on turn, angled out early in straight, finished off well to take a place without threatening.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly.