RACE 9 (493)

Taken back from the widest draw, raced towards rear on the outside, very wide turning in, failed to close off in straight.

Incident Report
Approaching the 300 Metres was held up for clear running behind GRACIOUS EXPRESS before improving to that runner’s outside leaving the 300 Metres, resulting in ARMOUR WAR EAGLE making contact with C YEAH. L Hewitson pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 300 Metres (see LIGHTNESS OF BEING). Sent for sampling post-race.

Out with rest, sat right behind the leader on the inside, same position on turn, showed limited response early in straight, weakened gradually final 150M.

Incident Report
Over the final 100 Metres lay in under pressure. Sent for sampling post-race.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced at rear on the outside, 5 lengths or so back turning in, passed some tired runners in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Prior to declaring weighed-in K Teetan viewed the patrol films to ascertain if there were grounds for a protest/objection against MAGNIFICENT NINE. When Jockey Teetan declined to lodge a protest/objection and the Stewards were satisfied that there were not sufficient grounds to do so, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge. Over the final 100 Metres raced tight to the inside of MAGNIFICENT NINE which shifted in slightly and near the winning post brushed with MAGNIFICENT NINE. Sent for sampling post-race.

Moderately away from gate 1, raced in midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Over the final 200 Metres lay out under pressure.

Slightly slow out, raced at rear on the inside, saved ground throughout, made no progress in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Blundered shortly after the start. Between the 400 Metres and the 350 Metres was held up for clear running.

Jumped with them, raced 2 wide behind midfield, 5 lengths back turning in, failed to make any progress in straight.

Incident Report
From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 300 Metres was taken wider by LOST CHILD.

Bumped start and unbalanced, sent forward to race prominently, 2 wide, there to turn, weakened early in straight. (See Racing Incidents.) (Irregular heart rhythm.)

Incident Report
After the event, J Orman stated that his mount was one-paced when placed under pressure in the Home Straight and, in his opinion, may be better suited by being ridden more conservatively in the early stages. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea.

Began well from a wide draw, raced in midfield on the outside, a bit closer on turn, finished off well to take a place.

Incident Report
Near the 200 Metres was steadied and shifted to the inside of FREE PONY to continue into clear running.

Jumped well from gate 10, tracked leaders, 3 wide, there to turn, showed very good response in straight, hit the front 150M, kept on well to the line and scored.

Incident Report
Bumped shortly after the start. Near the 300 Metres was steadied to avoid LIGHTNESS OF BEING. After the event, M L Yeung stated that from a wide barrier he was instructed to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages. Trainer C W Chang confirmed the instructions issued.

Away with them, raced 2 wide in midfield, 3 lengths or so back, angled out approaching 500M, no daylight early in straight, cleared 250M, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
No report.

Shifted out at start and made contact, taken back to race behind midfield on the inside, 4-1/2L back turning in, no clear run until 250M, ran on evenly to the line. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Approaching the 300 Metres was bumped by ARMOUR WAR EAGLE which shifted out and became unbalanced. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. After the event, R Kingscote stated that the instructions were to obtain an on-pace position.

Began well, raced 2 wide better than midfield, there to turn, peaked early in straight, weakened final furlong.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly and then bumped with LIGHTNESS OF BEING.

Average to begin, raced 3 wide with cover slightly behind midfield, wider turning in, made some progress in straight to make frame.

Incident Report
No report.

Commenced well, sent forward to take the lead, led by a length turning in, kept on well in straight but unable to hold off the winner final 150M.

Incident Report
Bumped shortly after the start and became unbalanced. L Hewitson (ARMOUR WAR EAGLE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 300 Metres he shifted his mount to the outside of GRACIOUS EXPRESS when there was not sufficient room to do so, resulting in ARMOUR WAR EAGLE making contact with C YEAH, resulting in C YEAH becoming unbalanced and being taken out across the running of LIGHTNESS OF BEING, resulting in LIGHTNESS OF BEING having to be checked. L Hewitson was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 26 March 2025 and to expire on Monday, 31 March 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.