Recap by phillip woo

Frantanck kept finding after reclaiming the lead from Hakka Radiance rounding the final bend for a first win at his 11th local start. He had been knocking on the door. Illuminous just out-dashed favourite Beato for second after biding his time one from the rear. Beato came from last and very wide out after a tardy start to finish a close third. He has been in good form all season long. Karma ran on well for fourth after a wide trip travelling three from the rear. It was another honest effort. Master Of Fortune made a mild bid after a rail run from midfield. He just isn't quite good enough at this level. Beauty Fit just plodded after finding the box seat from a tricky gate. He's lost a bit of spark in his past three starts after reeling off minor placings in six consecutive runs. Plunged late Soleil Fighter wasn't beaten far in the end after a prominent run wide without cover from gate 14. He'll be one to keep safe from a better draw. Giddy Up came up flat after getting badly held up along the inside for a run until the 200m following a patient ride two from the rear.

Racing Incident Report

Race Ten : (493) - TAK KU LING HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1600Meters

Horse No 1 UNIVERSAL HORIZON (G360) C L Chau Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 2 GOLDEN ARTIE (G434) A Badel Jumped awkwardly and then shortly after the start was steadied when crowded between SOLEIL FIGHTER and UNIVERSAL HORIZON.

Near the 1100 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from ACCOLADE START.

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

Horse No 3 ILLUMINOUS (J170) K Teetan Jumped only fairly and despite being ridden along in the early stages failed to show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position.

In the middle stages raced keenly and near the 900 Metres was steadied away from TALENTS AMBITION.

From the 550 Metres until the 400 Metres was held up for clear running.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 4 GIDDY UP (J020) J McDonald When questioned, J McDonald stated that his instructions were to settle his mount where comfortable but not to make use of it as it had previously over-raced when ridden forward in the early stages.

He said from the inside barrier GIDDY UP jumped reasonably well but in accordance with his instructions he did not push it along in the early stages to hold a more forward position.

He said as a result TALENTS AMBITION was able to shift across his mount in the early stages which resulted in GIDDY UP setting towards the rear of the field.

He added approaching the first turn when TALENTS AMBITION shifted out, he was able to allow GIDDY UP to improve to the inside of that runner and follow MASTER OF FORTUNE.

He further stated that from the 600 Metres when he remained positioned behind MASTER OF FORTUNE, his visibility was impaired due to the kickback from runners in front and as a result he was not able to proceed forward from the 600 Metres to the 400 Metres when there was not sufficient room to do so.

He said after entering the Home Straight he shifted to the outside of MASTER OF FORTUNE to follow BEAUTY FIT, but was held up for clear running from the 350 Metres until the 200 Metres where he was able to place GIDDY UP under full pressure and the horse finished the race off well.

Trainer J Richards confirmed the instructions issued and as GIDDY UP was stepping up to 1600 Metres and when ridden forward from an inside barrier at Happy Valley on 20 December 2023, GIDDY UP raced keenly and as a result did not finish the race off.

He said this was the basis for issuing the instructions to Jockey McDonald.

Mr Richards added that whilst he had expected GIDDY UP settling in a more forward position, he was of the view that due to GIDDY UP being held up in the early part of the Home Straight, this had impacted the horse's chances of finishing in a more forward position.

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

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 KARMA (G392) H Bowman When questioned, H Bowman stated that from the 800 Metres his mount hung out which resulted in him having to place significant pressure on his right rein to maintain his position on the track.

He added soon after entering the Home Straight when he allowed KARMA to shift wider, his mount commenced to race truly and finished the race off well.

Horse No 6 ACCOLADE START (H331) H Bentley Crowded at the start between UNIVERSAL HORIZON and KARMA which shifted out.

Between the 450 Metres and the 350 Metres was held up for clear running.

Horse No 9 SOLEIL FIGHTER (J127) K C Leung Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 10 YOUNG BRILLIANT (H135) K De Melo After the race, K De Melo reported that as he had some concern with his mount's action on the Home Turn he eased it down in the Home Straight.

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

The performance of YOUNG BRILLIANT, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

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

Horse No 11 BEATO (H090) Z Purton Slow to begin.

Near the 1400 Metres was steadied when crowded between ILLUMINOUS and KARMA (H Bowman) which, after shifting in, was corrected by its rider.

H Bowman was reprimanded.

Horse No 12 FRANTANCK (H429) Y L Chung Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 13 TALENTS AMBITION (J136) A Atzeni Jumped only fairly.

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GENERAL:

1.

After the running of Race 9, the track classification was officially changed from "Good" to "Good to Yielding" 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 9 being run on a track rated "Good to Yielding"

2.

6 March 2024 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 3 (477) The Stewards today conducted an inquiry in relation to ROYAL PRIDE being presented and racing with a hood, not part of its approved gear in the abovementioned race.

Evidence was taken from Mr C Fownes, trainer of ROYAL PRIDE, Mr Fownes' assistant trainer Mr C K Chung and Mr W L Tsang, stables assistant of ROYAL PRIDE.

The evidence established that ROYAL PRIDE was transported to the Happy Valley Racecourse with a black hood.

Upon arrival the horse was attended by Mr Tsang and a yellow pre-race hood, part of ROYAL PRIDE'S approved gear, was inadvertently placed over the black hood by Mr Tsang before ROYAL PRIDE was taken to the saddling stalls to be saddled by Mr Fownes.

Mr Fownes advised that as the pre-race hood was covering the black hood he did not detect that the black hood was fitted to ROYAL PRIDE.

As ROYAL PRIDE was presented in the Parade Ring with a yellow pre-race hood covering the black hood, gear inspections performed by the Stewards in the Parade Ring had not identified that the black hood had been fitted to ROYAL PRIDE as the yellow pre-race hood, in accordance with standard practice, had not been removed from ROYAL PRIDE until once at the starting gates.

? Mr Fownes pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 96 in that he did negligently present ROYAL PRIDE to race in Race 3 at the Happy Valley racemeeting on 6 March 2024 in a hood, which was not part of that horse's declared gear, which resulted in ROYAL PRIDE wearing a hood in the said race.

Mr Fownes was fined the sum of $15,000.

? The Stewards have now updated their standard operating procedures to minimise the risk of such error occurring again.

A report will be made to the Head of Dual Site Stables Operations in respect to Mr Tsang erroneously applying a hood to ROYAL PRIDE.

3.

Addition to Racing Incidents Report of 6 March 2024 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 8 (482) INVINCIBLE MISSILE - Approaching the 600 Metres was taken wider by CAN'T GO WONG which shifted out to improve.

4.

Racing Laboratory tests of PALACE PAL, DIAMOND WINNER, LOYAL AMBITION, MY INTELLIGENT, TACTICAL COMMAND, SUPER FAST DRAGON, LEAN MASTER, SAMARKAND, STURDY RUBY, POWER KOEPP, RAGING BLIZZARD, SUPER JOY N FUN, LUCKY QUALITY, OUTGATE, M UNICORN, JUNE PLANET, JOYFUL HUNTER, SUGAR SUGAR, CAPTAIN WIN, BEAUTY INFINITY and OUR LUCKY GLORY (28.2.24) proved negative.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 4 BALLISTIC WIN on 8.3.24 on veterinary advice Race 6 SHINKANSEN at barriers on veterinary advice

2.

Riding Change As K H Chan was unable to make the weight on SIXTH GENERATION in Race 3, the Stewards approved for A Atzeni to ride that horse on 7 March 2024.

3.

Fines Race 3 K H Chan (SIXTH GENERATION): $2,000 for not fulfilling the engagement on the horse due to being overweight General Trainer C Fownes (ROYAL PRIDE): $15,000 for a breach of Rule 96

4.

Reprimand Race 10 H Bowman (KARMA) for shifting in near the 1400 Metres

5.

Warning Race 9 K De Melo (RISING FROM ASHES) re dropping his whip

6.

Bleeder Race 2 PROSPEROUS SMILE

7.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 3 LOST CHILD

8.

Barrier Trials Race 2 METRO WARRIOR (barrier manners) PROSPEROUS SMILE (bleeder) Race 3 LOST CHILD (heart irregularity) Race 5 PACKING PROSPECT (unacceptable performance) Race 6 SHINKANSEN (barrier manners) Race 10 YOUNG BRILLIANT (unacceptable performance)

9.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 2 DEEP PURSUIT PROSPEROUS SMILE Race 3 LOST CHILD Race 4 BALLISTIC WIN Race 5 PACKING PROSPECT Race 6 SHINKANSEN Race 10 YOUNG BRILLIANT

10.

Course and False Outside Rail Arrangement Turf C Course

11.

Rolling Arrangement Rolling after Race 6 was cancelled due to weather condition.