RACE 2 (554)

Began smartly, sent forward to take the lead, led by a length on turn, kept on very well to the line and scored.

Incident Report
From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Sent for sampling post-race.

Began only fairly from gate 1, raced in midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Making the turn approaching the 1000 Metres shifted in and brushed the running rail. Near the 600 Metres lay in and brushed the running rail. Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped start, raced slightly better than midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, kept on well early in straight, peaked 150M, weakened gradually thereafter.

Incident Report
No report.

Bumped start, raced 2 wide better than midfield, 2 to 3 lengths back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened inside final furlong.

Incident Report
Near the 600 Metres was checked to avoid LUCKY GENERATIONS, resulting in WOODFIRE CHAMP commencing to race keenly and improving to the inside of LUCKY GENERATIONS where it was then placed in restricted room to the inside of that runner.

Taken back to race behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter.

Incident Report
Z Purton (TALENTS SUPREMO) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he directed his mount in when not clear of HOSS, resulting in TALENTS SUPREMO making contact with HOSS and HOSS becoming unbalanced when crowded for room and a short distance later HOSS having to be checked when it lost its rightful running. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 9 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. Leaving the 500 Metres was steadied when crowded by WOODFIRE CHAMP which shifted in when being checked away from LUCKY GENERATIONS. Sent for sampling post-race.

Out in line, raced 2 wide in midfield, unable to maintain position after passing 500M, showed no response in straight, finished last.

Incident Report
Approaching the 1000 Metres was eased when racing in restricted room between SWEET DIAMOND which was racing tight to the inside of SPEEDY SMARTIE and RAGNARR which shifted out slightly.

Jumped with them, raced 2 wide slightly behind midfield, 6 lengths or so back, commenced move 550M, 4-1/2L back turning in, finished off strongly to take 2nd, nearest on line.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Z Purton was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 1000 Metres (see HOSS). A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a large skin wound to the right hind leg.

Bumped start, positioned 1-1/2L behind the leader on rail, saved ground on turn, kept on well early in straight, no extra final 100M.

Incident Report
When questioned, H Bentley stated that when holding an on-pace position in the early stages he was obliged to make use of his mount when caught wide in an attempt to go forward. He said when unable to cross runners to his inside he elected to restrain EVER SMART making the turn near the 1000 Metres to obtain a position with cover. When questioned regarding his riding rounding the turn and in the early part of the Home Straight and as to whether there was an opportunity to improve to the outside of WINNING HEART, H Bentley stated that given the hard run that his mount had sustained in the early stages, he was reluctant to improve around runners on the Home Turn and for this reason he remained racing behind WINNING HEART. He added when WINNING HEART shifted out approaching the Home Straight he then attempted to obtain clear running to the inside of WINNING HEART and to the outside of ISLAND GOLDEN. He said when that run closed EVER SMART was held up for clear running between the 300 Metres and the 150 Metres. Jockey Bentley agreed with the Stewards that he had made an error of judgement on the Home Turn by not shifting to the outside of WINNING HEART to obtain clear running.

Moderately away from a wide draw, sent forward to race in 2nd, a length back on turn, kept on well in straight to take a place. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Near the 600 Metres was checked to avoid ISLAND GOLDEN. For some distance approaching the 200 Metres was held up for clear running behind SPEEDY SMARTIE and near the 200 Metres was checked and made contact with ISLAND GOLDEN when disappointed for clear running to the outside of SPEEDY SMARTIE.

Taken back to race 2 wide towards rear, commenced move 500M, 6 lengths or so back turning in, made good progress in straight to make frame. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
B Thompson (SWEET DIAMOND) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 600 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of ISLAND GOLDEN, resulting in ISLAND GOLDEN having to be steadied and LUCKY GENERATIONS and WOODFIRE CHAMP, which were following, having to be checked. B Thompson was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 27 April 2025 and to expire on Thursday, 1 May 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. Approaching the 200 Metres was crowded for room between WINNING HEART which shifted in slightly and LUCKY GENERATIONS (L Ferraris) which shifted to the outside of SPEEDY SMARTIE where there was not sufficient room to do so. L Ferraris was severely reprimanded and advised he must ensure there is sufficient racing room when improving into runs.

Taken back to race at rear, 7-1/2L back on turn, very wide into straight, made minor progress in the run home. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Bumped start, taken back to race at tail, 12 lengths or so back, closer on turn but still 7-1/2L back, made some headway in straight.

Incident Report
B Thompson pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 600 Metres (see ISLAND GOLDEN). A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, SWEET DIAMOND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.