RACE 5 (391)

Began smartly from a wide draw, raced slightly better than midfield on the outside, no cover on turn, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
In the middle stages raced keenly and near the 800 Metres was steadied to avoid LUCKY GOLD. Sent for sampling post-race.

Jumped well from gate 1, sent forward to take the lead, led by a length turning in, peaked and headed approaching 200M, weakened final 100M.

Incident Report
Leaving the 300 Metres when placed under full pressure shifted in towards the running rail and became badly unbalanced. A short distance later again shifted in and struck the running rail. SKY DEEP then continued to race greenly to the finish of the event. Having regard to the horse’s previous racing manners, the Stewards determined that SKY DEEP must barrier trial satisfactorily on consecutive occasions in Hong Kong from an inside barrier where it will be required to be ridden out in the Home Straight before being permitted to race again. Sent for sampling post-race.

Began well, positioned 2 wide, 2 lengths or so back, 3 wide turning in, kept on same pace in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Y L Chung (LUCKY BLESSING) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of ATOMIC BEAUTY, resulting in ATOMIC BEAUTY being taken in onto PHOENIX LIGHT which was checked and lost its rightful running and also resulting in LUCKY GOLD which was racing to the inside of PHOENIX LIGHT being crowded for room. Y L Chung was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Sunday, 23 February 2025 at Sha Tin. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very good race riding record.

Moderately away, raced 2 wide in midfield, similar position on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened final furlong.

Incident Report
Shifted in abruptly at the start and was bumped. Y L Chung (LUCKY BLESSING) pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 900 Metres (see PHOENIX LIGHT). Near the 300 Metres was hampered when taken out by SKY DEEP. Prior to declaring weighed-in, the Stewards viewed the patrol films to ascertain if there were sufficient grounds for a protest/objection against SKY DEEP. Having regard to the beaten margin between the two horses and the manner in which they finished the race off, the Stewards declined to lodge a protest/objection on behalf of LUCKY BLESSING and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge.

Began well from a wide draw, raced in midfield on the outside, 3 lengths or so back turning in, made good progress in straight to take a place, bumped close home.

Incident Report
Steadied near the 900 Metres when crowded. Near the 500 Metres lay out slightly and then was steadied when momentarily crowded by CHARMING BABE (K Teetan) which lay in when racing to the inside of HARMONY N HOME. K Teetan was advised to exercise more care. Near the 150 Metres was steadied to avoid BRILLIANT EXPRESS (H Bowman) which shifted in. H Bowman was reprimanded.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced towards rear on the outside, very wide into straight, one-paced in the run home.

Incident Report
Bumped at the start.

Average to begin, positioned 2 wide, a length or so back, found rail 900M, saved ground on turn, took the lead approaching 200M, kept on well but unable to hold off the winner close home.

Incident Report
On jumping bounded and lost ground. Near the 800 Metres was steadied to avoid BRILLIANT EXPRESS. Over the final 100 Metres could not be fully ridden out to the finish when it improved behind SKY DEEP.

Away with them, sent forward to race prominently on the outside, a length back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened inside final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Near the 1000 Metres was taken wider.

Jumped only fairly and blundered shortly after the start, raced 2 wide behind midfield, found rail after passing 900M, saved ground on turn, unable to obtain clear run until final 100M, finished off strongly to score by a neck.

Incident Report
Near the 1000 Metres was steadied to avoid FLYING AKEED. Near the 650 Metres was steadied away from LESLIE. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a laceration to the right hind leg.

Taken back from the widest draw, raced at tail, 6 lengths or so back turning in, made some progress early in straight, peaked 100M, one-paced thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Bumped at the start and became unbalanced. Over the concluding stages could not be ridden out to the finish when positioned tight to the inside of LUCKY BLESSING which shifted in slightly.

Jumped with them, raced towards rear on the inside, saved ground on turn, one-paced in straight.

Incident Report
After the event, Z Purton stated that, in his opinion, ATOMIC BEAUTY is better suited racing at the Happy Valley circuit. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Made contact at start, raced 2 wide towards rear, angled out 500M, 4 lengths or so back turning in, made little progress in straight.

Incident Report
No report.

Crowded start, raced at rear, 5 to 6 lengths back turning in, made good progress in straight to be nearest on line.

Incident Report
On jumping was bumped by LUCKY BLESSING which shifted in abruptly, resulting in FLYING AKEED becoming unbalanced. In the early stages raced keenly and leaving the 1000 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from LESLIE for some distance.

Began fairly, raced in midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, no daylight early in straight, cleared 200M, kept on well to the line, bumped close home. (See Racing Incidents.)

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