Recap by phillip woo

A tactics change paid off for Duke Wai, who just held off the fast-finishing The Crown after dictating the run one off the fence from gate five. The win looked to be coming after seconds in back-to-back runs. The Crown jumped out of his skin late to make it close on the wire settling fourth last following a slow start. He had flashed potential in couple of his other starts so a big run was not a surprise. Post-time favourite Lucky Patch kept on gamely for a placing after making his run underneath Duke Wai on the fence from gate four. He was back on track with a step back in distance after a Classic Cup failure with mucous. Hinchinlove kept plugging away late to complete the quartet following a one-out, one-back run. He was able to hold his own up in grade off a light weight. Wind N Grass made some ground late to earn a cheque after straightening three from the rear. It was a pleasing effort despite a rise in class but he's more effective at the Valley.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten: (545) - HOI HA HANDICAP - Class 2 - 1200Meters

Just prior to the start being effected, THE CROWN became fractious and then began awkwardly and lost ground.

INVINCIBLE MISSILE began only fairly.

RACING FIGHTER shifted out at the start and brushed SUNNY BOY.

LUCKY PATCH began awkwardly.

PING HAI BRAVO and WIND N GRASS were steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

From wide barriers, WIND SPEEDER and LOCKHEED were also steadied shortly after the start to obtain cover.

Approaching and passing the 900 Metres, WIND N GRASS got its head up on a number of occasions when awkwardly placed behind PING HAI BRAVO.

Passing the 100 Metres, CALIFORNIA RAD was eased away from the heels of HINCHINLOVE which shifted out.

Passing the 75 Metres, THE CROWN shifted out abruptly, requiring its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount.

Throughout the race, CZARSON travelled wide and without cover.

For the majority of the race, CALIFORNIA RAD travelled wide and without cover.

A veterinary inspection of CALIFORNIA RAD, SEATTLE CHOICE and LOCKHEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

LUCKY PATCH, DUKE WAI and THE CROWN were sent for sampling.

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GENERAL:

1.

After the running of Race 3, 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 3 being run on a track rated "Good to Firm??

2.

Adjourned Inquiry - 24 March 2021 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 4 (530) At the Happy Valley racemeeting conducted on Wednesday, 24 March 2021, a charge of careless riding was issued against Apprentice Chau (VICTORY IN HAND), the particulars of the charge being that near the 50 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of MY MY MY, causing that horse to be severely checked and to lose the running to which it was rightfully entitled and contributing to interference to OVERSUBSCRIBED and SHOWINA which were racing on the inside of MY MY MY.

Having acceded to a request by Apprentice Chau for the matter to be adjourned to allow his allocated trainer, Mr D J Whyte, to be present, the Stewards today concluded the inquiry.

Further evidence was today taken from Apprentice Chau with evidence being taken from Mr Whyte.

After having considered all the relevant factors, the Stewards were of the opinion that the charge issued against Apprentice Chau was sustained and accordingly he was found guilty of the charge.

The Stewards decided that the appropriate penalty was for Apprentice Chau's licence to ride in races to be suspended for a period to commence on Wednesday, 21 April 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 29 April 2021 on which day he may resume race riding.

In that time there are three racemeetings scheduled to be conducted in Hong Kong.

In assessing the appropriate penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that this was the 6th occasion this season that Apprentice Chau had been charged with careless riding, but they were of the opinion that there were a number of circumstances associated with this incident, most notably that SHOWINA and OVERSUBSCRIBED were racing tight in the lead up to the incident inside MY MY MY which shifted in before being straightened by its rider.

3.

Additional Veterinary Reports from Happy Valley Racemeeting on 24 March 2021 Subsequent official veterinary inspections (without endoscopy) of FLYING MONKEY, WINNER'S HEART, PRESIDENT STAR, NITRO EXPRESS, SAVVY KINGMAN, BULLETPROOF, DREAM WARRIORS, JOYFUL WIN, VICTORY IN HAND, FIRE BALL, NOBLE DESIRE, GLORIOUS LOVER, MORE THAN ENOUGH.

REGENCY MASTER, BE READY, HERCULES, HARMONY N HOME, JOYFUL UNION, FARSHAD and SURREALISM revealed no apparent abnormality.

4.

Racing Laboratory tests of SKY GEM, NUREMBERG, HAY RUN, H Z TOURBILLON, WINS ALL, PEAK TO PEAK, LAND POWER, INNO LEGEND, SPONTANEOUS, GOOD SHOT, SUPERBELLA, EVER LAUGH, CALIFORNIA LEVEE, NUNCHUKS, BUNDLE OF DELIGHT, PERFECT TO PLAY, SKY SHOW, HARMONY AND RICH, LOVING A BOOM, THE HULK, RIGHT HONOURABLE, SMOOTHIES, KURPANY and HANDSOME BO BO (17.3.21) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Fine Race 4: B Shinn (TELECOM ELITE): $5,000 for using the whip over the concluding stages on a horse out of contention.

2.

Severe Reprimands Race 1: M L Yeung (HAPPY JAI JAI) for shifting in near the 950 Metres.

Race 2: C Schofield (PERFECT TO PLAY) for shifting in near the 350 Metres.

3.

Reprimands Race 2: A Badel (GOOD DAYS) for shifting in near the 1800 Metres.

Race 7: K C Leung (GRACYLOVE) for shifting in approaching the 150 Metres.

4.

Suspension General: Apprentice C L Chau (VICTORY IN HAND) for careless riding near the 50 Metres (from 21 April 2021 until 29 April 2021 on which day he may resume race riding - 3 Hong Kong racedays).

5.

Barrier Trials Race 4: BLAZING BEAT Race 8: ANGEL OF MY EYES

6.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 3: SUNSHINE SUPREME Race 4: BLAZING BEAT Race 7: TOP SCORE Race 8: SPARKY TRAIL ANGEL OF MY EYES

7.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf A+3 Course, the false outside rail was placed at 4 metres.

8.

Rolling Arrangement The track was rolled after race

6.