RACE 8 (627)

Away well, positioned 2 wide, 2 lengths or so back, 3 wide approaching 600M, hard ridden after passing 350M and made some progress, peaked 150M, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Began only fairly, raced behind midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, made good progress early in straight, peaked 150M, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
In the middle stages raced keenly and near the 1100 Metres was shifted out to avoid STRAIGHT ARRON which resulted in PROGNOSIS racing in a three wide position for a short distance thereafter. Sent for sampling post-race.

Taken back from gate 11, raced at tail, 7 lengths in the middle stages, a bit closer on turn, made minor progress in straight.

Incident Report
When questioned A De Vries stated that approaching the 900 Metres ENSUED improved to his outside which resulted in CALIF commencing to race keenly. He said as a result he was obliged to severely check his mount to avoid the heels of MOMENTS IN TIME which resulted in his mount becoming unbalanced.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced towards rear on the outside, a bit closer in the middle stages, 2-1/2L back turning in, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
B Avdulla pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 300 Metres (see LIBERTY ISLAND).

Began well from gate 1, positioned 1 to 2 lengths behind the leader on the inside, moved a bit closer along the rail on turn, hit the front 350M, kept on strongly to the line, won by 1-1/2L.

Incident Report
C Williams pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 1800 Metres (see MOMENTS IN TIME).

Jumped with them, raced 2 wide in midfield, wider on turn, hard ridden 550M, made some progress early in straight, peaked on run 150M, kept on same pace to the line.

Incident Report
Slow to begin. Near the 300 Metres was badly crowded for room. Prior to declaring weighed-in the Stewards gave consideration as to whether there were sufficient grounds for a protest/objection to be lodged on behalf of the connections of RUBYLOT following RUBYLOT being badly crowded near the 300 Metres when ENSUED shifted out. After considering the manner in which both horses finished the race off and the margin of a long head between the two horses at the finish, the Stewards declined to lodge a protest/objection.

Average to begin, raced in midfield on the inside, 2 wide turning in, one-paced in the run home.

Incident Report
C Williams (CAP FERRAT) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1800 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of MOMENTS IN TIME, resulting in MOMENTS IN TIME having to be checked to avoid the heels of CAP FERRAT. C Williams was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 18 May 2025 and to expire on Thursday, 22 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 very good race riding record.

Jumped well, sent forward to take the lead, led by 3/4L turning in, peaked and headed 350M, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
No report.

Away well, raced slightly behind midfield on the outside, very wide turning in, weakened early in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Near the 300 Metres became unbalanced when buffeted for room between RUBYLOT and PROGNOSIS. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Moderately away, raced 2 wide behind midfield, 3 wide from 500M, one-paced in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
When questioned Z Purton stated that in the middle stages EL VENCEDOR raced too keenly and refused to settle despite his efforts. He said this was the reason why his mount was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Began well, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, 3/4L back turning in, peaked early in straight, weakened thereafter. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
B Avdulla (ENSUED) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out when not clear of LIBERTY ISLAND, resulting in LIBERTY ISLAND being badly crowded for room and taken out onto RUBYLOT, resulting in RUBYLOT also being crowded for room and GOLIATH becoming unbalanced when buffeted for room between RUBYLOT and PROGNOSIS. B Avdulla was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 and to expire on Thursday, 22 May 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). In addition, Jockey Avdulla was fined $60,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his poor race riding record. Near the 250 Metres went amiss when it sustained an injury to its left front leg and was eased down from the event. When questioned Y Kawada stated that the horse travelled only fairly during the race, however, he had no concern with its action prior to the 250 Metres. He said, in his opinion, whilst LIBERTY ISLAND was crowded near the 300 Metres this had no bearing on the horse going amiss near the 250 Metres. Samples were taken from the horse.