Recap by phillip woo

Punted late Bundle Of Charm came with a bold move down the outside to reel in favourite Gummy Gummy for the win following a patient ride second last from a tricky gate. He adapted well to the switch in surfaces. Gummy Gummy did everything right but get the win after surging to the lead underneath the 200m following a handy run on the fence. He backed up a surprise second last start on turf and should find the winner's circle shortly. Wonder Kit kept on well for third after chasing the speed wide without cover from a tricky gate. It was another honest effort despite a switch in surfaces. Firming late in betting, Magniac lost third late after a pace-stalking role from gate seven. It was an okay effort in a higher grade following a win. Chancheng Prince made some ground to finish next best without threatening the top four after rounding the final bend with three behind him. It was another honest effort on this surface. Youthful Deal kept on evenly after a four wide without cover trip from midfield. Seasons Wit ran on without threatening after making his run two from the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten : (397) - AZALEA HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 TELECOM FIGHTERS (D482) K De Melo Bumped shortly the start.

Horse No 2 SEASONS WIT (H223) H Bowman From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 3 PING HAI GALAXY (C377) M Barzalona Bumped shortly the start.

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

Horse No 4 CHANCHENG PRINCE (D270) Z Purton Jumped awkwardly.

Horse No 6 YOUTHFUL DEAL (G340) A Atzeni From the 700 Metres raced wide and without cover.

Horse No 7 XPONENTIAL (D049) K Teetan From the 700 Metres raced wide and without cover.

After the race, K Teetan reported that despite riding his mount along in the early stages it did not show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position and as a result was obliged to race very wide and without cover throughout the event and consequently gave ground in the Home Straight.

The performance of XPONENTIAL, a last start winner, was considered to be disappointing.

Before being allowed to race again, XPONENTIAL 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 immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Horse No 8 WONDER KIT (G455) L Hewitson Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 9 BUNDLE OF CHARM (G213) A Badel Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 10 GUMMY GUMMY (H089) A Hamelin Sent for sampling post-race.

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GENERAL:

1.

Additions to Racing Incidents Report of 31 January 2024 Happy Valley Racemeeting Race 6 (384) COUNTRY DANCER - When questioned regarding his riding from the 500 Metres and as to whether there was an opportunity to be positioned closer to the leader ALLOY KING, A Hamelin stated that his instructions were to hold a midfield position, but in the early stages he was obliged to make some use of COUNTRY DANCER to cross runners to his inside to avoid racing wide.

He said as a result COUNTRY DANCER settled in a more forward position than what he had been instructed.

He added with this in mind, in the middle stages, he allowed COUNTRY DANCER to race where comfortable and although there was an opportunity to improve to be closer to ALLOY KING, he was reluctant to do so bearing in mind his instructions.

He said from the 500 Metres he felt ALLOY KING, which he had ridden at its previous two race starts and was up in grade on this occasion, would not improve as it entered the Home Straight and for this reason he remained racing some distance away from ALLOY KING to provide him with the opportunity to shift out if necessary.

He further stated when ALLOY KING then improved from the 400 Metres, he commenced to ride his mount along to improve to the inside of ISLAND BRIGHT whereby COUNTRY DANCER obtained clear running soon after entering the Home Straight.

After considering his explanations, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Hamelin were reasonable in the circumstances.

Race 9 (387) WINNING DRAGON - Raced wide and without cover in the early stages and was allowed to stride forward where it obtain a position outside the lead after the 1000 Metres.

2.

Trainer P C Ng was fined the sum of $2,000 for presenting PROSPEROUS SMILE with a set of incorrect racing colours at the Conghua barrier trials on Friday, 2 February 2024 in breach of Trainers' Handbook Instruction 40.

3.

Racing Laboratory tests of BLISSFUL STAR, WINNING STEPS, CHANCHENG PRINCE, ALL FOR ST PAUL'S , ALACRITY, LUCKY BANNER, MISSION BRAVO, G LINER, PRECISION GOAL, CHARMING STEED, CHIRON, SKY FOREVER, REGENT GLORY, COOL BLUE, DIAMOND FLARE, SPEEDY SMARTIE, STRIVE FOR GLORY, MAGNIAC, SMOKEY BEAR, ADEFILL, SO WE JOY and FRANTANCK (24.1.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawal Race 9 GOLDEN CHAMPION (standby runner) on 1.2.24 on veterinary advice

2.

Fines Race 2 H Bowman (LESS IS MORE): $120,000 for careless riding near the 250 Metres General Trainer P C Ng (PROSPEROUS SMILE): $2,000 for a breach of Trainers' Handbook Instruction 40

3.

Reprimands Race 6 J McDonald (STELLAR EXPRESS) for shifting in near the 250 Metres Race 8 A Atzeni (NIMBLE NIMBUS) for shifting in over the concluding stages

4.

Warnings Race 5 J McDonald (ESCAPE ROUTE) for shifting in near the 1700 Metres Race 6 H Bowman (FLYING HIGH) for shifting out near the 800 Metres Race 8 A Atzeni (NIMBLE NIMBUS) for shifting in passing the 100 Metres Race 9 C L Chau (ONLY U) for raising his whip arm above shoulder height

5.

Suspensions Race 2 H Bowman (LESS IS MORE) for careless riding near the 250 Metres (from Wednesday, 13 March 2024 until Thursday, 21 March 2024 on which day he may resume race riding - 3 Hong Kong racedays) Race 7 Z Purton (HELENE FEELING) for careless riding approaching the 200 Metres (Wednesday, 21 February 2024 - 1 Hong Kong raceday)

6.

Adjourned Inquiry Race 9

7.

Bleeders Race 4 KING OF THE COURT Race 9 GOLDEN CHAMPION

8.

Barrier Trials Race 4 GO HERO (unacceptable performance) KING OF THE COURT (bleeder) Race 9 GOLDEN CHAMPION (bleeder) Race 10 XPONENTIAL (disappointing performance)

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1 FINGERS CROSSED Race 3 KA YING VICTORY Race 4 CHATER GOLD GO HERO KING OF THE COURT Race 9 GOLDEN CHAMPION Race 10 XPONENTIAL

10.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf B+2 Course False Outside Rail: 4 Metres All Weather Track

11.

Rolling Arrangement The track was not rolled today.