Recap by phillip woo

Winning Method just ran down Captain Win two from the right after a patient ride three deep two from the back to land the plunge of the season. He was able to build on a win two back in an easier grade over the Valley 1,200m. Captain Win found one just too good after moving to the front 30m out following a one-off run in midfield. It was a good effort up in grade off a light weight. Good Luck Friend just held on after clearing to the lead 1,000m from a wide draw. A change in tactics nearly paid off. Beauty Fit would have gone close to winning but the gap underneath Good Luck Friend on the fence wasn't wide enough to go through from the 300m to 100m following a rails run behind midfield. Raging favourite The Golden Scenery ran on steadily after a one-off run outside Beauty Fit to nearly fill the frame. The rise in weight after a last-start win took its toll. Master Montaro finished in the mix travelling just off the fence in midfield. It was another honest effort. E Star was ducking and weaving but couldn't get a clear run at them over the last 150m following a patient ride towards the rear. He should have finished closer. Circuit Three came from last and widest out at the head of the straight to finish a close eight.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (500) - PAT SIN LENG HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1400Meters

E STAR shifted in at the start and bumped HINCHINLOVE which in turn shifted in and bumped ROMAN TURBO.

From the outside barriers, CIRCUIT THREE and BAND OF BROTHERS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

IGNITING was also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover.

HIGHLAND FORTUNE lost its left hind plate in the early stages.

ROMAN TURBO got its head up and travelled keenly when being steadied to obtain cover approaching and passing the 1100 Metres.

Making the turn near the 900 Metres, WIND N GRASS got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of GOOD LUCK FRIEND (K C Leung) which shifted in when not properly clear.

K C Leung was reprimanded and told to ensure that he is properly clear of other runners when shifting ground in similar circumstances.

In this incident, WIND N GRASS brushed the running rail.

Also making the turn near the 900 Metres, MASTER MONTARO was steadied away from the heels of ROMAN TURBO.

CAPTAIN WIN, which was racing to the outside of MASTER MONTARO, commenced to over-race and made the turn at the 900 Metres awkwardly.

BEAUTY FIT, which was following MASTER MONTARO, was steadied away from the heels of that horse in consequence.

After the 900 Metres, HIGHLAND FORTUNE (H Bentley) was left racing wide and without cover.

After the race, H Bentley stated that although required to race wide and without cover, HIGHLAND FORTUNE was not comfortable in its action and after being placed under pressure rounding the Home Turn its action deteriorated noticeably.

He said after placing HIGHLAND FORTUNE under limited pressure after the 400 Metres, the horse commenced to give ground and as he was concerned with the horse's action, he did not ride it out over the latter stages of the race.

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

Given HIGHLAND FORTUNE's recent racing history and the reports made by riders who had ridden the horse previously, the Stewards will interview Mr K W Lui, the trainer of HIGHLAND FORTUNE, in the presence of Dr B S Forbes, Head of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy, regarding the racing future of the horse.

In the meantime, the Stewards ruled that HIGHLAND FORTUNE is not eligible to be entered for races.

MASTER MONTARO was held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight.

E STAR had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and then approaching the 100 Metres was shifted to the inside of THE GOLDEN SCENERY after being held up for clear running behind that horse.

Then close to the finishing line, E STAR was checked away from the heels of CAPTAIN WIN when badly held up behind that horse.

When being checked away from the heels of CAPTAIN WIN, E STAR shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of THE GOLDEN SCENERY which became unbalanced when awkwardly placed close to the heels of WINNING METHOD.

Because of this, THE GOLDEN SCENERY was not able to be ridden out all the way to the end of the race.

When questioned, V Borges stated that after the 400 Metres BEAUTY FIT was held up for clear running behind HINCHINLOVE and inside WIND N GRASS.

He said as there was no running available to the outside of HINCHINLOVE near the 350 Metres due to WIND N GRASS maintaining its position to the outside of that horse, he elected to direct BEAUTY FIT to the inside of GOOD LUCK FRIEND as that horse shifted out marginally.

He said at the 300 Metres he improved to be racing inside the heels of GOOD LUCK FRIEND and whilst there was not room for a full horse width at this time to the inside of that horse, he was hopeful that GOOD LUCK FRIEND would shift out sufficiently to allow BEAUTY FIT to obtain clear running to the inside of that horse.

He said he was able to improve to be racing approximately three quarters of a length inside GOOD LUCK FRIEND, however, clear running did not eventuate to the inside of that horse passing the 300 Metres.

He added that whilst he was aware that HINCHINLOVE had shifted out passing the 300 Metres when commencing to give ground, he had committed BEAUTY FIT to the run inside GOOD LUCK FRIEND and he believed that having to steady his mount and shift to the outside of GOOD LUCK FRIEND would result in BEAUTY FIT losing momentum and having to give up too much ground to be able to finish in the placings.

He said therefore he continued to pursue the run inside GOOD LUCK FRIEND, however, that horse did not shift out sufficiently for BEAUTY FIT to obtain clear running until the concluding stages, this resulted in BEAUTY FIT being badly held up for clear running and not being able to be properly tested.

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

THE GOLDEN SCENERY, WINNING METHOD and CAPTAIN WIN were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

A Hamelin was interviewed regarding arriving late on course.

In the circumstances, A Hamelin was fined the sum of $5,000

2.

9 March 2022 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 5 (486) The Stewards today interviewed Trainer P O'Sullivan regarding the instructions he provided to Jockey C L Chau in respect of SPONTANEOUS in this race.

Mr O'Sullivan stated that on 5 January 2022, from a similar barrier, SPONTANEOUS was ridden positively to obtain a forward position.

He said because of the amount of work that the horse had to do on that occasion to obtain a forward position, SPONTANEOUS was then not able to finish the race off.

He said as he was concerned that a similar situation may occur again in this race from barrier 8, he asked Jockey Chau to begin positively and then find a position with cover in about midfield or in advance of midfield.

He said he further instructed Jockey Chau if it was likely that SPONTANEOUS was going to be left racing wide and without cover, he should take the horse back to obtain a trailing position as he did not want it being left without cover.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of PRESENCE, RED MAJESTY, VILLA FIONN, DRAGON PRIDE, AMAZING BOY, ZONE D, VIVA HUNTER, NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE, SUPER HONG KONG, GALLANT WAKING, VALIANT ELEGANCE, STORMTROUPER, LUCKY ARCHANGEL, JOYFUL GENIUS, HAPPY JAI JAI, WIN CHARM, NICCONI COUNTY, NOTHING NEW, LUCKY SWEYNESSE and TORONADO PHANTOM (2.3.22) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 9: PHOENIX LIGHT prior to the race on veterinary advice.

2.

Riding Changes The Stewards permitted the following riding substitutions on raceday morning for K H Chan due to personal reasons: Race 2: A Badel on SUPER KIN Race 5: M L Yeung on AMAZING NEWS Race 8: M F Poon SKYEY SUPREME Race 10: R Maia on IGNITING

3.

Fines Race 4: R Maia (WIN WIN FIGHTER): $45,000 for careless riding for some distance after the 1500 Metres.

Race 6: L Ferraris (HAPPILY FRIENDS): $2,000 for initially presenting himself to be weighed out with the incorrect saddle cloth number.

General: A Hamelin: $5,000 for arriving late on course.



4.

Reprimands Race 8: M L Yeung (RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE) for shifting out at the 400 Metres.

Race 10: K C Leung (GOOD LUCK FRIEND) for shifting in making the turn near the 900 Metres.

5.

Warnings Race 2: J Moreira (ZACIAN) for shifting in approaching the 1200 Metres.

L Hewitson (APEX TOP) for shifting in approaching the 1200 Metres.

Race 5: J Moreira (BRILLIANT WAY) for shifting in passing the 100 Metres.

6.

Suspension Race 4: R Maia (WIN WIN FIGHTER) for careless riding for some distance after the 1500 Metres (from 24 April 2022 until 28 April 2022 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

7.

Bleeder Race 2: SUNNY BABY

8.

Barrier Trials Race 8: GOLD MARQUIS Race 9: WAR WEAPON

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 8: GOLD MARQUIS Race 9: PHOENIX LIGHT WAR WEAPON

10.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf C+3 Course

11.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after race

6.