Recap by phillip woo

Racing Fighter just staved off California Whip after rushing to the front 2200m out following a prominent run with cover to add to a last-start win at the Valley. Punted late California Whip just failed to get up after a deep run near the speed without cover the entire trip. Early favourite Flying Thunder came from last and widest out after going back from a wide gate to fill a placing. Lucky Hero finished nicely after a patient ride fourth from the rear as the post-time favourite. He has really turned the corner of late and appears from this run to have the tools to get away with a race in this grade. Refined Treasure finished well after settling second from the back. This positive run around a bend does open up options for his connections. California Archer held his ground following a handy run. He's not reliable but the light weight did help. Limitless was making a steady bid from behind midfield when getting crunched between runners 60m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eleven: (713) - HKU JOCKEY CLUB TOWER HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1200Meters

JADE THEATRE was crowded for room on jumping between TEAM SPIRIT and LUCKY HERO, both of which shifted ground.

SEVEN HEAVENS shifted in at the start and bumped WATER DIVINER.

From a wide barrier, FLYING THUNDER was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

When travelling wide after the 1100 Metres, RAGING STORM was steadied and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover.

Passing the 900 Metres, FLYING THUNDER was inconvenienced when crowded for room between REFINED TREASURE and RAGING STORM which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of NEW ASIA SUNRISE which got its head on the side and shifted in away from CALIFORNIA WHIP.

In this incident, FLYING THUNDER made contact with the hindquarters of REFINED TREASURE which became unbalanced.

Near the 750 Metres, SEVEN HEAVENS raced tight between RACING FIGHTER and CALIFORNIA WHIP which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening to SEVEN HEAVENS.

Passing the 300 Metres, T H So (NEW ASIA SUNRISE) dropped his right rein which he took some time to regather.

CALIFORNIA ARCHER had difficulty obtaining clear running until passing the 200 Metres.

Passing the 100 Metres, REFINED TREASURE raced in restricted room inside RAGING STORM which shifted in.

RAGING STORM was then straightened by its rider and close to the finishing line was steadied away from the heels of FLYING THUNDER (G van Niekerk) which shifted in and also due to REFINED TREASURE being taken out by LUCKY HERO (C Y Ho).

Both G van Niekerk and C Y Ho were advised to ensure that they make every endeavour to prevent their mounts from shifting ground.

Apprentice K H Chan (CALIFORNIA WHIP) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 100 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LIMITLESS, causing that horse to be severely checked and in turn forced onto the hindquarters of CALIFORNIA ARCHER which was hampered.

Apprentice Chan was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Wednesday, 26 June 2019 and to expire on Tuesday, 2 July 2019 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that Apprentice Chan had been approved by Management during this week to ride at Happy Valley Racecourse, commencing with the racemeeting to be conducted on Wednesday, 26 June 2019.

Throughout the race, CALIFORNIA WHIP travelled wide and without cover.

After the race, K Teetan stated that he had to ride TEAM SPIRIT along in the early stages to cross CALIFORNIA ARCHER which he was able to do near the 1000 Metres.

He said he steadied the tempo on TEAM SPIRIT, however, both WATER DIVINER and CALIFORNIA WHIP improved to the outside of his mount passing the 800 Metres and then near the 600 Metres further improved their position to be racing directly outside TEAM SPIRIT.

He said TEAM SPIRIT came under pressure in the early part of the Straight and then did not finish off the race as anticipated and over the concluding stages gave ground noticeably.

The performance of TEAM SPIRIT, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, TEAM SPIRIT will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

A veterinary inspection of TEAM SPIRIT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the Veterinary Officer reported that he was unable to complete a full endoscopic examination due to the horse being fractious.

A veterinary inspection of NEW ASIA SUNRISE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

LUCKY HERO, RACING FIGHTER and CALIFORNIA WHIP were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

After the running of Race 1, the track classification was officially changed from "Good??to "Good to Firm?? This change in the opinion of the Stewards should be recorded as being retrospective.

As a consequence of this, the official results will show Race 1 being run on a track rated "Good to Firm??

2.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 29 May 2019 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of WONDERFUL JOURNEY, BULLISH BROTHER, VERY SWEET ORANGE, CARRY TO WIN, CLEMENT LEGEND, CROWN AVENUE, LE TERROIR, BRAVE BABY, PERFECT TO PLAY, POLYMER LUCK, FORZA ANGEL, HONG KONG BET, TRUE GRIT, UNIVERSAL GO GO, FIRST RESPONDER, WALDORF and MIGHTY MAVERICK revealed no apparent abnormality.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of LITTLE FANTASY, BONITO, LUCKY THOUGHT, TAKINGUFURTHER, JUNZI, LAST KINGDOM, WIN WIN, MAGNIFICENT, JUMBO PRIZE, SUPER EURO STAR, HAPPY WARRIOR, ACCLAIMED LIGHT, SALTO OLIMPICO, LOVING A BOOM, PLANET STAR, TELECOM PUMA, FEARLESS FIRE, SMART LEADER, YEE CHEONG BABY and FAT TURTLE (22.5.19) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 5: EMERALD SPUR on 1.6.19 on veterinary advice.

Race 7: SAVVY SEVEN on 1.6.19 on veterinary advice.

Race 9: PINGWU SPARK on 1.6.19 on veterinary advice.

2.

Fines Race 5: Trainer T P Yung (CHIU CHOW KID): $10,000 for the pre-declaration withdrawal of the horse.

Race 7: G van Niekerk (TENNESSEE BOSS): $2,000 for presenting himself to be weighed out with the incorrect saddle cloth number.

3.

Severe Reprimand Race 7: G van Niekerk (TENNESSEE BOSS) for shifting out near the 50 Metres.

4.

Reprimand Race 4: J Moreira (RED DESERT) for shifting out passing the 400 Metres.

5.

Warnings Race 3: H N Wong (GOLDEN GENERAL) for shifting in after travelling a short distance.

Race 4: K Teetan (AMBITIOUS HEART) for dropping his whip in races.

Race 11: G Van Niekerk (FLYING THUNDER) for shifting in passing the 100 Metres.

C Y Ho (LUCKY HERO) for shifting out passing the 100 Metres.

6.

Suspension Race 11: Apprentice K H Chan (CALIFORNIA WHIP) for careless riding passing the 100 Metres (from 26 June 2019 until 2 July 2019 on which day he may resume race riding - 2 Hong Kong racedays).

7.

Stewards' Inquiry Race 4

8.

Bleeder Race 7: SWOT WINDICATOR (3rd time)

9.

Barrier Trials Race 1: ROCKET GO Race 2: ALLIED AGILITY Race 7: YOUNG POWER Race 11: TEAM SPIRIT

10.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1: ROCKET GO Race 2: ALLIED AGILITY Race 5: EMERALD SPUR DESTIN Race 7: SAVVY SEVEN YOUNG POWER WINNING CONTROLLER Race 9: PINGWU SPARK Race 11: TEAM SPIRIT