RACE 2 (779)

Began well from gate 1, positioned 1-3/4L behind the leader on the inside, same position on turn, finished off well to take 2nd, just beaten by a narrow margin.

Incident Report
An inquiry into C L Chau’s use of the whip over the concluding stages was adjourned to a date to be fixed so that Jockey Chau could be further interviewed. Sent for sampling post-race. <28/6/2025 Adjourned Inquiry – 25 June 2025 Happy Valley Racemeeting – Race 2 (779)> C L Chau pleaded guilty to a breach of Stewards’ Instruction 22(3) in that he used the whip on a number of occasions over the concluding stages where his whip arm was raised above shoulder height. After considering penalty including this was the 7th occasion this season that Jockey Chau had breached this Instruction, he was fined the sum of $20,000.

Bumped start, raced in midfield on the inside, 3 lengths or so back, saved ground on turn, kept on evenly in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Began smartly, raced prominently on the outside, 1/2L back turning in, finished off evenly. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
No report.

Taken back from the widest draw, raced at tail, 6 lengths or so back, very wide into straight, made no impression in the run home.

Incident Report
Shifted in abruptly at the start and made heavy contact with BLING BLING GENIUS. Near the 150 Metres bumped with TELECOM POWER. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Bumped shortly after start, raced towards rear on the outside, moved a bit closer after passing 700M, no cover throughout, very wide turning in, weakened early in straight when hard run took toll. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early part of the Home Straight lay in. Approaching the 300 Metres was bumped by BLING BLING GENIUS which made the turn awkwardly and shifted out. Leaving the 150 Metres was steadied and shifted to the outside of CHARMING BABE to obtain clear running. Over the final 50 Metres MONARCH COUNTY then could not be ridden out when held up between CHARMING BABE and NEW POWER.

Bumped start and unbalanced, sent forward to take the lead, led by 1/2L turning in, kept on well in straight to hold off the challengers.

Incident Report
Crowded shortly after the start. Near the 150 Metres made contact with FLYING WROTE when it was obtaining a narrow run between FLYING WROTE and NEW POWER which shifted in. TELECOM POWER then raced tight to the inside of FLYING WROTE over the concluding stages when FLYING WROTE lay in and as a result could not be ridden out to the finish of the event.

Crowded start, raced towards rear on the inside, 5 lengths or so back, saved ground throughout, one-paced in the run home. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
Over the concluding stages was eased when crowded between MONARCH COUNTY and TELECOM POWER which was taken in slightly by FLYING WROTE.

Began only fairly, raced 2 wide slightly behind midfield, 3 wide turning in, made no progress in straight.

Incident Report
Shortly after the start was bumped by TELECOM POWER and became unbalanced. Raced very wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Moderately away, raced 2 wide, 2 lengths or so back, there to turn, peaked early in straight, weakened gradually thereafter.

Incident Report
From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 500 Metres was checked when crowded between MY DAY MY WAY and BLING BLING GENIUS which shifted out when racing ungenerously.

Bumped start, raced 3 wide with no cover, a length or so back, there to turn, showed limited response early in straight, weakened gradually final 100M.

Incident Report
On jumping was checked when crowded by FLYING WROTE which shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of its rider. After the event A Hamelin stated that his mount raced ungenerously throughout the event and near the 600 Metres hung out across TELECOM POWER and was checked. He added BLING BLING GENIUS continued to race ungenerously and after making contact with MONARCH COUNTY near the 300 Metres did not finish the race off thereafter. A warning was placed on the racing manners of the horse. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Bumped shortly after start, raced 3 wide towards rear, hard ridden from 400M, very wide turning in, made some progress in straight.

Incident Report
B Thompson was fined the sum of $5,000 for using the whip in an unnecessary manner on a horse that was out of contention. After the event B Thompson confirmed that from a wide barrier his instructions were to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages. Trainer J Richards confirmed the instructions and said he issued such instructions as COLONEL had been racing in a disappointing manner when being ridden forward at its most recent starts.

Moderately away from a wide draw, raced 3 wide in midfield, 2 to 3 lengths back, wider turning in, peaked early in straight, ran on evenly to the line.

Incident Report
Crowded shortly after the start. 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, FORTUNE WARRIOR will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.