RACE 5 (547)

Bumped start, positioned 2 wide, 4 lengths back, wider 500M, same margin back turning in, showed limited response early in straight, weakened final 100M.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Moderately away, raced 2 wide towards rear, 7 lengths back, same margin back turning in, made no impression in straight.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Near the 800 Metres commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from MOMENTS IN TIME. When questioned Z Purton stated that after entering the Home Straight he had expected RED LION to continue to improve into the race and as a result he attempted to obtain clear running between RED LION and MOMENTS IN TIME which he had expected to commence to give ground. He said when RED LION did not improve as he had expected and MOMENTS IN TIME shifted in slightly, he was obliged to check his mount to avoid RED LION and as a result GALAXY PATCH was held up for clear running between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres. He added leaving the 300 Metres he directed his mount to the inside of HAPPY TOGETHER where it secured clear running. Z Purton was advised to exercise more care and to ensure that there is sufficient racing room when he is improving into similar positions. Sent for sampling post-race.

Shifted out at start and bumped, raced prominently, 2 wide, allowed rival to cross near 800M, hard ridden approaching 500M, 3 wide turning in, kept on well early in straight, led briefly 100M, peaked and headed 50M, ran on evenly.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly.

Jumped with them, in touch in midfield, sent forward 1200M, shared lead on turn, peaked and headed early in straight, weakened final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
For some distance approaching the 400 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running when improving into a doubtful run between RED LION and BEAUTY JOY and as a result made contact with RED LION. HAPPY TOGETHER did not obtain clear running until after the 300 Metres. For a short distance approaching the 150 Metres raced tight between RED LION and BEAUTY JOY which shifted out slightly and as a result made contact with RED LION. Noted to have lost its left front plate after the race.

Jumped well, raced 2 wide behind midfield, angled out after passing 500M, 5 lengths or so back turning in, made minor progress in the run home.

Incident Report
B Avdulla pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 1300 Metres (see LA CITY BLANCHE). Near the 900 Metres was contacted on the hindquarters, taken wider and became badly unbalanced. After the event, B Avdulla stated that it was not his intention to take up a forward position. He said when BEAUTY JOY commenced to race keenly near the 1200 Metres he allowed it to stride forward to avoid having to restrain his mount unnecessarily.

Taken back from gate 13, raced at rear on the inside, saved ground on turn, 10 lengths back turning in, showed no response early in straight, eased final furlong. (Blood in trachea.)

Incident Report
J Orman pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 900 Metres (see CHANCHENG GLORY). Passing the 400 Metres HAPPY TOGETHER endeavoured to obtain clear running between RED LION and BEAUTY JOY when there was not sufficient room to do so, resulting in HAPPY TOGETHER making contact with RED LION and RED LION becoming unbalanced as its rider J Orman endeavoured to hold its position. A Badel, rider of HAPPY TOGETHER, was reprimanded and advised he must ensure that there is sufficient racing room where he is improving. A short distance later HAPPY TOGETHER was taken out when BEAUTY JOY shifted out before being corrected by its rider, resulting in HAPPY TOGETHER making further contact with RED LION. Bumped approaching the 150 Metres.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced towards rear on the outside, moved a bit closer after passing 1100M, 3 wide behind midfield on turn, kept on same pace in straight.

Incident Report
In the middle stages raced keenly. Lay in in the early part of the Home Straight when being shifted to the outside of CHANCHENG GLORY to obtain clear running.

Jumped only fairly, raced in midfield on the inside, 3 lengths or so back turning in, angled out early in straight, finished off evenly. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Near the 900 Metres was steadied to avoid BEAUTY ETERNAL.

Bumped start, raced slightly behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, no clear run early in straight, cleared near 200M, finished off very strongly, won by 3/4L.

Incident Report
J Orman (RED LION) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of NIMBLE NIMBUS, resulting in NIMBLE NIMBUS being taken out across the running of CHANCHENG GLORY, resulting in CHANCHENG GLORY being checked when crowded between NIMBLE NIMBUS and BEAUTY JOY and also BEAUTY JOY being contacted on the hindquarters and becoming unbalanced. J Orman was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 16 April 2025 at Happy Valley. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his excellent race riding record. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Taken back from the widest draw, raced at tail, 10 lengths or so back in the middle stages, moved a bit closer on turn, 8 to 9 lengths back turning in, made some progress in straight.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Near the 900 Metres was checked to avoid CHANCHENG GLORY. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Away well, raced better than midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened 200M, eased final 100M. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
No report.

Bumped start and unbalanced, positioned 2 wide, 2 to 3 lengths back, similar position on turn, kept on well in straight to take a place. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
B Avdulla (BEAUTY JOY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LA CITY BLANCHE, resulting in LA CITY BLANCHE striking the heels of BEAUTY JOY and blundering badly. B Avdulla was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 16 April 2025 at Happy Valley. In addition, Jockey Avdulla was fined $60,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 1 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his neutral race riding record. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. <31/3/2025 Additional Veterinary Report> LA CITY BLANCHE, which performed disappointingly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. LA CITY BLANCHE was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer A S Cruz this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, LA CITY BLANCHE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.