RACE 8 (8)

Jumped well, raced in 2nd, 2 wide, there to turn, challenged the leader early in straight, peaked 250M, weakened inside final furlong.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Away well, raced 2 wide better than midfield, travelled comfortably in the middle stages, angled out 500M, hit the front 250M, kept on well to the line and scored.

Incident Report
Blundered shortly after the start. Sent for sampling post-race.

Taken back from gate 13, raced at rear on the outside, there to turn, 8 lengths back turning in, passed some tired runners in straight.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. Near the 200 Metres was directed to the outside of U S S CONSTITUTION to obtain clear running. B Thompson pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference leaving the 150 Metres (see PRINCE ALEX). Sent for sampling post-race.

Commenced well, raced 2 wide behind midfield, 5 lengths back turning in, angled out early in straight, finished off strongly to take 2nd, nearest finish.

Incident Report
Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. Trainer D A Hayes confirmed the instructions were not to lead and endeavour to ride GALLANT CROWN in a conservative manner in the early stages.

Slowly away, raced at rear throughout, never a factor.

Incident Report
No report.

Slightly slow out, sent forward to take the lead, led by a length in the middle stages, challenged by rivals from 500M, peaked early in straight, headed 250M, weakened final furlong.

Incident Report
From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When questioned regarding his riding approaching the Home Turn and the reason he elected to improve to the inside of HARMONY N HOME, L Hewitson stated that after being positioned behind HARMONY N HOME, when he felt that runner could not take him into the event as it was not a fancied runner, he elected to improve to its inside with a view to following FAMILY JEWEL and SOLID WIN which were in advance. He said after improving to the inside of HARMONY N HOME, that runner commenced to improve into the event and when FAMILY JEWEL became held up for clear running and BLAZING WIND commenced to give ground, this resulted in OWNERS’ PRAISE being held up for clear running between the 300 Metres and the 200 Metres at which point he was able to shift to the outside to secure clear running. L Hewitson agreed that in hindsight his better option would have been to improve to the outside of HARMONY N HOME given his mount was held up in the early part of the Home Straight. However, the Stewards found the tactics adopted in the circumstances were reasonable having regard to his explanation.

Average to begin, raced slightly better than midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, peaked early in straight, weakened final furlong. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Began well from a tricky gate, raced better than midfield but trapped wide, taken back after passing 1300M, raced slightly behind midfield on outer in the middle stages, 5 lengths back turning in, failed to close off in straight.

Incident Report
Near the 600 Metres commenced to race keenly and was steadied to avoid VIVA GRACIOUSNESS. Approaching the 300 Metres was disappointed for clear running between VIVA GRACIOUSNESS and BLAZING WIND and then was held up for clear running between the 300 Metres and the 100 Metres.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced 3 wide towards rear, 6 lengths or so back turning in, made good progress in straight to take a place.

Incident Report
No report.

Jumped well, raced better than midfield but trapped 3 wide, no cover throughout, challenged the leader early in straight, peaked on run 200M, weakened final 150M. (Bled.)

Incident Report
No report.

Began awkwardly, raced slightly behind midfield on the inside, moved a bit closer on turn, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
B Thompson (BALLISTIC WIN) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that leaving the 150 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out, resulting in PRINCE ALEX having to be checked to avoid the heels of BALLISTIC WIN. B Thompson was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 25 September 2024 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.

Slightly slow out from gate 1, raced in midfield on the inside early, 2 wide after passing 1200M, 3 lengths or so back turning in, showed good response in straight, no clear run final 25M, missed 3rd on line.

Incident Report
Near the 600 Metres was steadied away from FAMILY JEWEL. <9/9/2024 Additional Veterinary Reports> The Veterinary Surgeon reported that LUCKY GOLD was lame in its left front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY GOLD will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Taken back from gate 11, raced 2 wide towards rear, commenced move 550M, 6-1/2L back turning in, finished off well without threatening the first few.

Incident Report
Jumped only fairly. After the event, H Bowman could offer no explanation for his mount’s disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.