Recap by phillip woo

Favourite Patch Of Theta drew clear after working to the lead 250m out following a rail run from midfield to ring up a fourth win from 10 starts and give his trainer Francis Lui a deserving first premiership. The horse has a very bright future. Punted late Beauty Crescent got up in the final strides for second after making his run four from the rear. It was another solid result without winning. Prestige Always briefly loomed a winning chance after a wide without cover trip travelling midfield from gate 14. He has flashed potential in his three local starts and should be saluting in no time next season. Specked late in betting Setanta roared home late down the outside from the rear to snatch fourth. It was one of his better efforts from 23 starts in the grade. Thriving Brothers ran on well but lost fourth late after making his run towards the rear from gate 11. He is still settling into Hong Kong but has flashed potential in two of three starts.

Racing Incident Report

Race Eleven : (831) - ALL YOU WISH HANDICAP - Class 3 - 1400Meters

Horse No 1 PATCH OF THETA (H485) H Bowman Crowded at the start.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 2 BEAUTY CRESCENT (H334) Z Purton Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 4 GOLDEN ARTIE (G434) E C W Wong Jumped awkwardly.

Near the 250 Metres was steadied and shifted to the outside of LOST CHILD to avoid that runner which was giving ground.

Horse No 5 AMAZING VICTORY (G123) A Atzeni Shifted out on jumping and was bumped.

Near the 950 Metres was steadied when crowded by PATCH OF THETA which was taken in by LOST CHILD.

Held up for clear running between the 450 Metres and 400 Metres.

Horse No 6 PRESTIGE ALWAYS (J300) K Teetan Near the 1200 Metres blundered when being shifted to the inside of LOST CHILD.

Horse No 7 MASSIVE ACTION (E445) H T Mo Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Horse No 8 GIDDY UP (J020) A Hamelin B Thompson (LOST CHILD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of PATCH OF THETA, taking PATCH OF THETA across the running of GIDDY UP, resulting in GIDDY UP being checked when it lost its running to the inside of PATCH OF THETA.

In accordance with previous practices, B Thompson was fined the sum of $25,000 in lieu of a one-day suspension.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 2 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his excellent careless riding record.

After the race, A Hamelin stated that, in his opinion, the horse may not have appreciated the 7-day backup from its last start.

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

Horse No 9 LOST CHILD (G461) B Thompson B Thompson pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 900 Metres (see GIDDY UP).

After the race, B Thompson stated that when his mount jumped well, he elected to go forward on LOST CHILD.

He said in the early stages when caught wide he was obliged to make use of his mount to shift closer to the rail.

He added as a result LOST CHILD did not finish the race off in the Home Straight.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

Before being allowed to race again, LOST CHILD will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 10 CALIFORNIA DEEPLY (G451) M Chadwick Bumped at the start.

After the race, M Chadwick confirmed that his instructions were to take up a forward position.

Horse No 11 PHANTOM CYCLONE (J271) C L Chau Shifted out at the start and was bumped and then was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Horse No 12 ROMAN CROWN (J456) M F Poon A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Horse No 13 SETANTA (G095) L Hewitson Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 14 THRIVING BROTHERS (J396) A Badel From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

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GENERAL:

1.

After the running of Race 5, the track classification was officially changed from "Good to Firm" to "Good" This change in the opinion of the Stewards should be recorded as being retrospective for Races 4 and

5.

As a consequence of this, the official results will show both races being run on a track rated "Good"

2.

10 July 2024 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 9 (820) FLAMINGO TRILLION - K C Leung was fined the sum of $5,000 for using his whip on a horse forward of the saddle.

RISING FROM ASHES - Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

3.

Adjourned Injury - 10 July 2024 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 7 (818) The Stewards today resumed their inquiry which was adjourned on 10 July 2024 in relation to Z Purton's handling of NEBRASKAN in this event.

Further evidence today was taken from Jockey Purton and Mr J Size, trainer of NEBRASKAN.

Evidence today was also taken from Mr T Lam, part-owner of NEBRASKAN.

The Stewards also considered a detailed report from the Racing Integrity and Betting Analysis Department of the Club which reported that NEBRASKAN was well supported with its odds contracting from 9.8 to 7.85 just prior to the commencement of the event and there was no irregular market moves identified in any other betting platform.

On this basis the Stewards were satisfied that there was no integrity concern in relation to the running of this event.

Having considered further explanation provided by Jockey Purton today, the Stewards were satisfied: that leaving the 900 Metres NEBRASKAN lay in which required Jockey Purton having to correct his mount; that from after the 600 Metres NEBRASKAN hung out making the turns which resulted in Jockey Purton having to place pressure on his right rein to prevent it from shifting out; that shortly after entering the Home Straight leaving the 350 Metres NEBRASKAN lay in, requiring Jockey Purton to stop riding and correct his mount; that near the 175 Metres NEBRASKAN lay in and made contact with PRINCE OF PORTY, resulting in Jockey Purton having to correct his mount; that near the 150 Metres NEBRASKAN then shifted out and away from PRINCE OF PORTY and contributed to contact between NEBRASKAN and LEAN MASTER which also shifted in slightly.

After considering these incidents, the Stewards then determined the reasonableness of Jockey Purton not placing his mount under pressure from near the 100 Metres once PRINCE OF PORTY had improved past NEBRASKAN.

Jockey Purton explained that as NEBRASKAN was still unbalanced at this point, he was reluctant to place it under full pressure as he was concerned that NEBRASKAN would shift ground and cause interference.

He said although he was able to ride NEBRASKAN out over the final 50 Metres, due to it remaining balanced, it still continued to shift out when he was riding it along which resulted in further contact with LEAN MASTER.

Having considered all of the evidence, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that Jockey Purton's actions were unreasonable and in breach of the Rules of Racing.

However, he was advised that, wherever possible, he should place his mounts under full pressure to ensure they obtain the best possible placing in the field.

At the conclusion of the inquiry, Jockey Purton was placed on notice in relation to his conduct during the Stewards' inquiry on 10 July 2024.

He was advised that his conduct fell below the standard of conduct expected of a licensed person and in future he should ensure that he is respectful of the Stewards and their processes.

SUMMARY:

1.

Withdrawals Race 1 SUPER JOY at barriers on veterinary advice Race 4 BILLIONAIRE SECRET on 12.7.24 by order of the Stewards Race 6 MISTER FOX on 12.7.24 on veterinary advice Race 10 SURUGA BAY on 13.7.24 on veterinary advice

2.

Fines Race 1 M L Yeung (CERVIN): $3,000 for initially weighing out without a girth Race 11 B Thompson (LOST CHILD): $25,000 for careless riding near the 900 Metres General K C Leung (FLAMINGO TRILLION): $5,000 for using his whip on the horse forward of the saddle

3.

Reprimands Race 6 H Bowman (BRILLIANT EXPRESS) for shifting out near the 350 Metres Race 8 M F Poon (ALL FOR ST PAUL'S) for shifting in at the 1400 Metres

4.

Warnings Race 10 M Chadwick (PRAY FOR MIR) for shifting in near the 350 Metres A Hamelin (HOLY LAKE) for shifting out near the 350 Metres General Z Purton (NEBRASKAN) re his riding in the Home Straight and his conduct

5.

Bleeder Race 9 EXCELLENT FIGHTER

6.

Irregular Heart Rhythm Race 11 LOST CHILD (2nd time)

7.

Barrier Trials Race 1 E TALENT (unacceptable performance) SUPER JOY (barrier manners) Race 4 MISSION BRAVO (barrier manners) Race 5 KA YING WARRIOR (disappointing performance) Race 6 ACE ONE (unacceptable performance) Race 9 EXCELLENT FIGHTER (bleeder) Race 11 LOST CHILD (heart irregularity)

8.

Official Veterinary Examinations Race 1 E TALENT SUPER JOY Race 5 KA YING WARRIOR Race 6 ACE ONE AMAZING RUN MISTER FOX Race 9 EXCELLENT FIGHTER Race 10 SURUGA BAY Race 11 LOST CHILD

9.

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