RACE 3 (564)

Began well from gate 1, raced slightly better than midfield on the inside, 3 lengths or so back, saved ground on turn, finished off well, just beaten by a narrow margin.

Incident Report
Between the 400 Metres and the 250 Metres was held up for clear running. Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped on jumping, positioned 1-1/2L behind the leader on the inside, saved ground on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened final 250M. (See Racing Incidents.) (Blood in trachea.)

Incident Report
Shortly after the start raced tight to the inside of POCHETTINO and as a result made contact with SMART ENGINEER. When questioned, L Ferraris stated that his mount lay in under pressure in the Home Straight and proved difficult to ride out to the finish of the event. He said for this reason when racing tight to the outside of PEJIBAYE after the 200 Metres he used the whip in a forehand manner forward of the saddle as he was unable to make contact behind the saddle. Jockey Ferraris was fined the sum of $5,000 for using the whip in this manner. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that Jockey Ferraris had been warned on a number of occasions this season in respect to using the whip in this manner. Sent for sampling post-race.

Slightly slow out, raced behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, showed limited response early in straight, weakened gradually inside final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. In the early part of the Home Straight raced greenly and near the 200 Metres lay out, resulting in its rider M L Yeung having to correct his mount.

Began well from the widest draw, unable to slot in, trapped 3 wide, 2 lengths or so back, no cover throughout, kept on well early in straight, peaked 200M, weakened final 50M.

Incident Report
Near the 950 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from SMART ENGINEER. Near the 600 Metres was steadied to avoid BULL ATTITUDE when racing keenly. When questioned, K De Melo stated that he was instructed to take up a midfield position with cover and when caught wide in the early stages he was obliged to settle further back in the field to obtain cover. When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight K De Melo stated that when positioned behind MOUNT EVEREST he was unable to test his mount approaching the 400 Metres when MOUNT EVEREST shifted out. He added as MOUNT EVEREST was then inclined to shift ground, between the 400 Metres and the 250 Metres he was unable to fully test his mount until MOUNT EVEREST shifted out near the 250 Metres where he was able to obtain clear running to its inside.

Jumped well from a wide draw, sent forward to take the lead, travelled comfortably in the middle stages, led by 1-1/2L turning in, kept on well in straight but unable to hold off the first two close home.

Incident Report
When questioned, M F Poon stated that from a more favourable barrier draw today he was asked to hold an on-pace position preferably with cover. He said after commencing well AMAZING GALAXY showed sufficient pace to race in a position outside the lead but raced keenly through the early and middle stages. He added over the concluding stages AMAZING GALAXY changed stride and shifted ground which resulted in him becoming unbalanced in the saddle and not being able to ride his mount out to the finish of the event.

Shifted out at start and bumped, raced towards rear on the outside, very wide turning in, weakened early in straight, eased inside final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
In the middle stages raced keenly and near the 900 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from RUN RAN RUN. For some distance after the 200 Metres raced tight to the inside of DAZZLING FIT.

Away well, raced 2 wide better than midfield, angled out 450M, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. Near the 100 Metres was bumped by KING OBERON which shifted in slightly.

Taken back from gate 13, raced at rear on the inside, angled out approaching 500M, 6 lengths back turning in, made minor progress early in straight, peaked 200M, one-paced thereafter.

Incident Report
Leaving the 1000 Metres was taken wider by SHINY RAPIDASH. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Clean jump, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, there to turn, peaked on run 450M, weakened early in straight.

Incident Report
Raced ungenerously in the early stages when being shifted across behind runners from its wide barrier.

Bumped on jumping, raced 2 wide in midfield, 3 wide from 700M, 3-1/2L back turning in, finished off strongly to score, won by a narrow margin.

Incident Report
In the early stages raced keenly when being crossed by AMAZING GALAXY. As a result, near the 1000 Metres SHINY RAPIDASH shifted out when being steadied. C L Chau was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 200 Metres (see MAGNIAC).

Began well, raced 2 wide slightly behind midfield, 3 wide on turn, kept on evenly in straight.

Incident Report
No report.

Bumped start and unbalanced, raced at tail, 10 lengths or so back, commenced move 550M, 6 to 7 lengths back turning in, very wide into straight, made very good progress in the run home, nearest on line.

Incident Report
On jumping was crowded between MAGNIAC and DAZZLING FIT which shifted in and away from POCHETTINO. Leaving the 900 Metres commenced to race keenly when being steadied to avoid MAGNIAC. Near the 550 Metres was again steadied to avoid MAGNIAC and as a result lost ground.

Jumped with them, raced in midfield on the inside, 2 wide on turn, made some progress early in straight, not enough room 150M to 50M, ran on evenly thereafter.

Incident Report
On jumping was bumped by SMART ENGINEER on the hindquarters. Leaving the 300 Metres was bumped by RUN RAN RUN which shifted out and away from SHINY RAPIDASH. C L Chau (SHINY RAPIDASH) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 200 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out when not clear of MAGNIAC, resulting in MAGNIAC having to be checked when crowded between PEJIBAYE and SHINY RAPIDASH. C L Chau 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 addition, Jockey Chau was fined $25,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very poor race riding record. The penalty was further mitigated due to SHINY RAPIDASH initially shifting out and away from MOUNT EVEREST and PEJIBAYE shifting in slightly when racing tight to the inside of DAZZLING FIT.

Taken back to race 2 wide behind midfield, angled out 500M, 6 lengths back turning in, made no impression in straight.

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