Recap by phillip woo

Huge Wave responded well to get up 30m out after a one-off trip from midfield for a first win at his fifth local start. He had shown little in two prior starts following a long-priced third in March. Never Too Soon finished well after travelling towards the rear for most part to just get the better of Rubylot for second. He can bob up now and then over this trip and did place two runs ago at the Valley. Rubylot stayed on nicely to just miss second after getting forced four wide without cover coming to the final bend travelling midfield. It was a solid effort in a higher grade. Beauty Fit found a few too good in the late stages after assuming the lead from favourite Top Gun 400m out following a speed-tracking run. He rarely produces a bad run. Winning Data kept on all right after chasing the speed wide without cover the entire trip from gate 14. Favourite Top Gun was on his tippy toes 150m out after dictating the run from gate two. He couldn't back up a debut win on a wet track. Beauty Cresent got going to finish next best after a one-off trip from behind midfield. Blue Marlin was withdrawn after failing to load in the gate.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten : (703) - RIVER VERDON HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

Horse No 2 GALAXY WITNESS (G110) C Y Ho Crowded on jumping by HUGH WAVE which shifted in after bumping with RUBYLOT.

Bumped near the 350 Metres.

After the race, C Y Ho reported that GALAXY WITNESS came under pressure from the 700 Metres and did not run on in the Home Straight.

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

Horse No 4 TOP GUN (J249) K Teetan After the race, K Teetan reported that his mount was not suited by being pressured in the lead by BEAUTY FIT and as a result was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight.

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

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 SUPREME AGILITY (J267) M F Poon Jumped only fairly and then was crowded shortly after the start.

Horse No 6 BEAUTY CRESCENT (H334) B Avdulla Shifted in at the start and was bumped.

Horse No 7 SUPERB KID (H298) L Hewitson From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Near the 350 Metres became unbalanced when crowded between NORTHERN BEACHES and GALAXY WITNESS which shifted out to improve.

After the race, L Hewitson stated that, in his opinion, SUPERB KID, which was racing in blinkers for the first time, was not suited to this gear addition.

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

Horse No 8 TOURBILLON PRINCE (H122) Z Purton After the race, Z Purton stated that his mount did not travel strongly due to the race being run slightly inside of standard time during the middle stages.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer" which had previously been reported.

Horse No 9 NEVER TOO SOON (E434) K De Melo From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 10 RUBYLOT (H412) K C Leung On jumping was bumped by BEAUTY CRESCENT which shifted in.

Horse No 11 HUGE WAVE (J197) A Badel Bumped shortly after the start.

When questioned regarding the improved performance, Trainer K H Ting stated that at its start on 31 March 2024, HUGH WAVE would have appreciated a firmer surface on that occasion.

He said at its last start from a wide barrier, Jockey L Ferraris was obliged to make use of his mount to take up a forward position and as a result was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight.

He added as a result he had expected HUGH WAVE, which was advantage by being ridden in a midfield position today, to finish the race off well.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 13 NORTHERN BEACHES (H266) H Bentley Bumped near the 350 Metres.

After the race, H Bentley stated that whilst the intention was to ride his mount conservatively in the early stages from a wide barrier, when his mount was caught wide in the early stages, he was obliged to restrain it towards the rear of the field to avoid racing wide.

Horse No 14 WINNING DATA (H230) M Chadwick Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 1 BLUE MARLIN (H078) H Bowman Refused to load into the barriers and was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

The Stewards determined that BLUE MARLIN must barrier trial to their satisfaction on two consecutive occasions prior to being permitted to race again, one of those barrier trials must be conducted in Hong Kong.

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GENERAL:

1.

Races 5 and 6 were each put back 5 minutes whilst Races 7 to 10 were each put back 15 minutes.

2.

The Stewards today considered a matter referred to them by the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy (DVRWBP) in relation to SUMMIT CHEERS (E221) being worked on the Conghua Small All Weather Track from 17 to 22 May 2024 inclusive, contrary to a training restriction placed on that horse by DVRWBP as a consequence of a reported condition with the horse's left front ligament.

Evidence was taken from Mr D J Hall, trainer of SUMMIT CHEERS, and his allocated CRC assistant trainer, Ms W S Yu.

Mr Hall subsequently pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 50(2) in that he failed in his responsibilities pertaining to the running of his stable by not providing the necessary information to his CRC assistant trainer relative to a training restriction that was placed on SUMMIT CHEERS (E221) by DVRWBP under the terms of Regulation 73(e) of the Trainers' Handbook which led to SUMMIT CHEERS being worked on the Small All Weather Track from 17 to 22 May 2024 inclusive, which was in contravention to the training restriction placed on that horse.

In all the circumstances, Mr Hall was fined the sum of $10,000.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account that this was the first occasion that Mr Hall had been penalised for a similar breach and that he had consulted with his Clinical Veterinary Surgeon prior to the horse resuming work.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of SONIC BOOM, VIVA A LA, TIMESTORM, I CAN, SNOWALOT, BIG RED, WINNING DRAGON, NOBLE PURSUIT, FLAMINGO TRILLION, TO INFINITY, BIG TWO, HAPPIHOOD, GLORY CLOUD, COSMO NAVIGATOR, SWEET DIAMOND, MA COMET, SIGHT HAPPY, CAMINO, TURIN WARRIOR, DRAGON STAR, SETANTA, PRIME MORTAR, SPICY GOLD, COPARTNER PRANCE and CALIFORNIA TOUCH (15.5.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 6 CHATEAUNEUF at barriers by order of the Stewards GAMEPLAYER WARRIOR at barriers on veterinary advice Race 10 BLUE MARLIN at barriers by order of the Stewards

2.

Fine General Trainer D J Hall (SUMMIT CHEERS): $10,000 for a breach of Rule 50(2)

3.

Warnings Race 1 B Avdulla (CALIFORNIA MOXIE) re his riding inside the 100 Metres M Chadwick (RUN YES RUN) for shifting out inside the 100 Metres

4.

Bleeder Race 2 BROTHER PEARL

5.

Barrier Trials Race 2 BROTHER PEARL (bleeder) Race 3 HOLY LAKE (disappointing performance) Race 6 CHATEAUNEUF (barrier manners) GAMEPLAYER WARRIOR (barrier manners) Race 9 CAMPIONE (unacceptable performance) Race 10 BLUE MARLIN (barrier manners)

6.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 2 BROTHER PEARL Race 3 BOURBONAIRE HOLY LAKE Race 4 MULTISUPER Race 6 CHATEAUNEUF GAMEPLAYER WARRIOR Race 7 MASSIVE SOVEREIGN Race 9 CAMPIONE

7.

False Outside Rail Arrangement 4 Metres

8.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after Race 5