Recap by phillip woo

Punted late Butterfield held on gamely for the win after rushing to the front near the 300m following a perfect run in the box-seat. He relished a step up to the 1,800m after tipping his hat with two mile runs. Favourite Columbus County finished well to grab second after a patient ride third from the rear. He was able to back up a solid run last month over the 1,600m. High Rev ran on steadily along the inside to just edge Super Oasis for third. He's a smart and versatile performer. Super Oasis produced a nice ducking-andweaving run near the inside after a patient ride fourth from the back. Helene Leadingstar made ground late after making his run at the rear following a slow start. Nicconi Express ran on without menacing after a deep run racing behind midfield. You can put a pen through the runs of both third favourite Enjoying and Amazing Beats, who got into each other's one way and were badly unbalanced and lost ground at the 250m.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (390) - AZALEA HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1800Meters

SAVVY SIX was withdrawn by order of the Stewards when that horse refused to enter the track after leaving the Parade Ring.

Having regard to SAVVY SIX'S previous record in matters associated with its reluctance proceeding to the Start, the Stewards ruled that that horse will be required to undergo a series of satisfactory parade tests on raceday in which it must proceed to a designated starting point in a timely manner.

Should SAVVY SIX fail in any of these official tests, consideration will then be given to the horse's immediate racing future.

HELENE LEADINGSTAR was slow to begin.

TIANCHI MONSTER shifted out at the start and bumped SAVVY NINE.

TIANCHI MONSTER and SAVVY NINE were then shifted across behind runners.

AMAZING BEATS began awkwardly and then was bumped by CLASSIC BEAUTY which shifted in.

Shortly after the start, ENRICHMENT was bumped by ENJOYING which was tightened for room inside AMAZING BEATS.

After this, ENRICHMENT and ENJOYING were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Passing the 1500 Metres, NICCONI EXPRESS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SUPER OASIS which was steadied away from the heels of HIGH REV.

Also passing the 1500 Metres, SAVVY NINE raced tight between NICCONI EXPRESS and ENJOYING.

After the 1400 Metres, NICCONI EXPRESS commenced to travel keenly and was shifted out away from the heels of ENJOYING, resulting in ENRICHMENT being taken wider.

ENRICHMENT, when racing very wide and without cover, was then allowed to improve after the 1000 Metres to obtain a more forward position, however, continued to race wide and without cover.

For some distance after the 800 Metres, NICCONI EXPRESS, which was continuing to travel strongly, was awkwardly placed behind SAVVY NINE.

Passing the 500 Metres, ENJOYING and NICCONI EXPRESS raced tight.

Passing the 400 Metres, ENJOYING was shifted in away from the heels of SAVVY NINE when held up for clear running behind that horse.

ENJOYING then continued to be held up for clear running until near the 300 Metres at which stage the horse was directed to the inside of ENRICHMENT which was shifting out.

As ENJOYING was directed to the inside of ENRICHMENT, that horse then lay in, resulting in ENJOYING bumping the hindquarters of AMAZING BEATS which became badly unbalanced and shifted in onto GLORIOUS ARTIST which in turn became badly unbalanced as a result of being bumped by AMAZING BEATS.

ENJOYING was then checked away from the heels of ENRICHMENT and shifted to the outside of that horse.

As there were a number of circumstances associated with this incident, none of which was as a result of carelessness exhibited by any rider, no further action was taken.

Approaching the 200 Metres, ENRICHMENT raced tight inside SAVVY NINE which in turn raced tight inside NICCONI EXPRESS.

A veterinary inspection of ENJOYING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

SUPER OASIS, BUTTERFIELD and COLUMBUS COUNTY were sent for sampling.

---

GENERAL:

1.

29 January 2020 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 8 (379) The Stewards today questioned C Y Ho, the rider of SUNSET WATCH, regarding his riding, particularly after the 600 Metres.

C Y Ho stated that in accordance with his instructions he shifted SUNSET WATCH across behind runners in the early stages from barrier

11.

He said making the turn near the 1000 Metres he was left racing wide outside WALDORF and he steadied his mount to shift across with that horse as WALDORF was shifting in behind MR SO AND SO and then GRACEANDMERCY.

He said after the 700 Metres he was following MR SO AND SO and as he had been instructed to try and save ground if possible, he continued to follow that horse rather than shift to its outside.

He said in order to obtain inside runs, he shifted SUNSET WATCH in to follow WALDORF and after balancing up SUNSET WATCH at the top of the Straight then commenced to ride his mount along.

He added SUNSET WATCH lay out in the Straight and was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of BEAUTY AMIGO near the 100 Metres as SUNSET WATCH, which was finishing off the race strongly, improved into tight running between that horse and JOYFUL UNION.

C Y Ho was advised that his riding of SUNSET WATCH, particularly after the 600 Metres, had come under notice and he was told to ensure that his mounts do not get too far out of their ground and are placed in the best position at critical stages of the race.

2.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 29 January 2020 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of SHOUSON, SUPER LUCKY, BLOOMING SPIRIT, ASSOCIATION FANS, LADY FIRST, MASTER ALBERT, SIMPLY FLUKE, GOLDEN GLORY, GUNNAR, CALIFORNIA LEGEND, DIONYSUS COLLIN, CINQUANTE CINQ, DIVINE UNICORN, CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT, VICTORIAM, AMAZING STAR, WALDORF, HARMONY HERO and RELIABLE TEAM revealed no apparent abnormality.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of LONDON HALL, MAGNETISM, GOOD DAYS, UNDEFEATED, POWER KING, CHEERFUL LEADER, SONIC FIGHTER, TELECOM ROCKET, FANTASTIC SHOW, CIRCUIT THREE, MIGHTY GIANT, WAIKUKU, BEAUTY GENERATION, VALIANT DREAM, LOCKHEED, BEAT THE CLOCK, THANKS FOREVER, AMAZING KIWI, MY ALLY, MONGOLIAN KING, DUKE WAI, BEAUTY APPLAUSE, SMART PATCH, CHAMPION SUPREME, ENZEMBLE (19.1.20) and GARLIC YEAH, SKY GEM, ART OF RAW, COMPASSION STAR, WAYFOONG CHARMER, CALIFORNIA RAD, SHAMPORT, CONFUCIUS DAY, FLASH FAMOUS, ROYAL RACER, SUPER WINNER, VERY SWEET ORANGE, DR PROACTIVE, DOR DOR, STARLIT KNIGHT, KIRAM, FARSHAD, WINNING FEELING, SPARKLING DRAGON, THIS IS CLASS, WINNING METHOD, HINCHINLOVE, GREEN REIGN (22.1.20) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 2: ONE HAPPY STAR on 1.2.20 on veterinary advice.

Race 6: TANG FLEMING at barriers on veterinary advice.

Race 10: SAVVY SIX prior to the race by order of the Stewards.

2.

Fines Race 6: K C Leung (WILLIE WAY): $5,000 for using the whip on a horse out of contention.

Race 8: J Moreira (KA YING MASTER): $3,000 for initially weighing out with two saddles.

G van Niekerk (BALTIC WHISPER): $60,000 for careless riding for some distance approaching and passing the 600 Metres.

Race 9: G van Niekerk (FIRST RESPONDER): $2,000 for failing to present himself in the Parade Ring by the required time.

K Teetan (GLENEALY GENERALS): $3,000 for failing to present himself in the Parade Ring by the required time.

3.

Severe Reprimands Race 1: G van Niekerk (BREEZE OF SPRING) for shifting in approaching the 1100 Metres.

Race 7: G van Niekerk (CLEAR CHOICE) for shifting in making the turn after passing the winning post on the first occasion.

4.

Reprimand Race 1: K Teetan (WAYFOONG STAR) for shifting out passing the 300 Metres.

5.

Warnings Race 7: Z Purton (VOLPINO) for shifting in close to the finishing line.

General: C Y Ho (SUNSET WATCH) re his riding particularly after the 600 Metres.

6.

Suspensions Race 6: J Moreira (FOODIE PRINCESS) for careless riding near the 150 Metres (from 26 February 2020 until 2 March 2020 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

Race 8: G van Niekerk (BALTIC WHISPER) for careless riding for some distance approaching and passing the 600 Metres (from 26 February 2020 until 2 March 2020 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

In reaching the decision to defer the commencement date of the period of suspension for Jockeys Moreira and van Niekerk until 26 February 2020, the Stewards were mindful that it was not available for either rider to include the racemeeting to be held at Sha Tin on Saturday, 8 February 2020 in any period of suspension due to the Club's requirement for them to ride at this racemeeting because of the number of jockeys available to ride on that day.

The Stewards had previously made a similar ruling in these circumstances.

7.

Stewards' Inquiry Race 2

8.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 4: MARQULA (2nd time)

9.

Parade Test Race 10: SAVVY SIX

10.

Barrier Trials Race 1: WAYFOONG STAR Race 2: SMART CHARADE Race 4: MARQULA Race 5: BELLAGIO Race 6: TANG FLEMING

11.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: WAYFOONG STAR Race 2: ONE HAPPY STAR Race 4: MARQULA Race 6: TANG FLEMING