Recap by phillip woo

Outsider Straight Arron came from near last along the inside to just touch off favourite Galaxy Patch for a fifth win at his 24 local starts. It was clearly his best performance from six runs for his new trainer this term. Galaxy Patch found one just too good after switching inside for a clear run under the 200m after getting held up and badly hampered near the 300m settling behind midfield coming to the final bend. He had a clear excuse. Moments In Time ran on nicely through the middle to finish a close third after making his run three back on the fence. He was able to back up a win last start at the Valley despite a rise in class. Sensationally backed Happy Together kept on well for fourth despite getting boxed in for a run until the 250m after handing up the lead to Beauty Joy 750m out. He rarely produces a bad run. Beauty Joy succumbed late for fifth after circling the field to lead 750m out following a wide trip towards the rear. It was another honest effort. Red Lion came up one-paced after handing up the lead early.

Racing Incident Report

Race Five : (547) - THE CHAIRMAN'S TROPHY - Class G2 - 1600Meters

Horse No 1 BEAUTY ETERNAL (H008) A Atzeni Jumped only fairly.

Near the 900 Metres was checked to avoid CHANCHENG GLORY.

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

Horse No 2 BEAUTY JOY (E058) B Avdulla B Avdulla pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 1300 Metres (see LA CITY BLANCHE).

Near the 900 Metres was contacted on the hindquarters, taken wider and became badly unbalanced.

After the event, B Avdulla stated that it was not his intention to take up a forward position.

He said when BEAUTY JOY commenced to race keenly near the 1200 Metres he allowed it to stride forward to avoid having to restrain his mount unnecessarily.

Horse No 3 GALAXY PATCH (H399) Z Purton Jumped only fairly.

Near the 800 Metres commenced to race keenly and was steadied away from MOMENTS IN TIME.

When questioned Z Purton stated that after entering the Home Straight he had expected RED LION to continue to improve into the race and as a result he attempted to obtain clear running between RED LION and MOMENTS IN TIME which he had expected to commence to give ground.

He said when RED LION did not improve as he had expected and MOMENTS IN TIME shifted in slightly, he was obliged to check his mount to avoid RED LION and as a result GALAXY PATCH was held up for clear running between the 400 Metres and the 300 Metres.

He added leaving the 300 Metres he directed his mount to the inside of HAPPY TOGETHER where it secured clear running.

Z Purton was advised to exercise more care and to ensure that there is sufficient racing room when he is improving into similar positions.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 4 CHANCHENG GLORY (H212) H Bowman J Orman (RED LION) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 900 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of NIMBLE NIMBUS, resulting in NIMBLE NIMBUS being taken out across the running of CHANCHENG GLORY, resulting in CHANCHENG GLORY being checked when crowded between NIMBLE NIMBUS and BEAUTY JOY and also BEAUTY JOY being contacted on the hindquarters and becoming unbalanced.

J Orman was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 16 April 2025 at Happy Valley.

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

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

Horse No 5 ENSUED (H452) K Teetan Near the 900 Metres was steadied to avoid BEAUTY ETERNAL.

Horse No 6 HAPPY TOGETHER (G446) A Badel For some distance approaching the 400 Metres had difficulty obtaining clear running when improving into a doubtful run between RED LION and BEAUTY JOY and as a result made contact with RED LION.

HAPPY TOGETHER did not obtain clear running until after the 300 Metres.

For a short distance approaching the 150 Metres raced tight between RED LION and BEAUTY JOY which shifted out slightly and as a result made contact with RED LION.

Noted to have lost its left front plate after the race.

Horse No 7 RED LION (H115) J Orman J Orman pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 900 Metres (see CHANCHENG GLORY).

Passing the 400 Metres HAPPY TOGETHER endeavoured to obtain clear running between RED LION and BEAUTY JOY when there was not sufficient room to do so, resulting in HAPPY TOGETHER making contact with RED LION and RED LION becoming unbalanced as its rider J Orman endeavoured to hold its position.

A Badel, rider of HAPPY TOGETHER, was reprimanded and advised he must ensure that there is sufficient racing room where he is improving.

A short distance later HAPPY TOGETHER was taken out when BEAUTY JOY shifted out before being corrected by its rider, resulting in HAPPY TOGETHER making further contact with RED LION.

Bumped approaching the 150 Metres.

Horse No 8 STRAIGHT ARRON (G435) M F Poon Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 9 LA CITY BLANCHE (G371) M Chadwick B Avdulla (BEAUTY JOY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of LA CITY BLANCHE, resulting in LA CITY BLANCHE striking the heels of BEAUTY JOY and blundering badly.

B Avdulla was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 9 April 2025 at Happy Valley.

In addition, Jockey Avdulla was fined $60,000.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 1 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his neutral race riding record.

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

Horse No 10 MOMENTS IN TIME (H474) H Bentley Jumped only fairly.

Horse No 12 SUNLIGHT POWER (H244) C L Chau In the middle stages raced keenly.

Lay in in the early part of the Home Straight when being shifted to the outside of CHANCHENG GLORY to obtain clear running.