Recap by phillip woo

Sure Joyful travelled one off from better than midfield before hitting the lead 100m out and keeping on gamely for a second Valley 1,650m win from 10 starts this term. Early favourite Midori Fuji took off from near last 450m out and widest out upon straightening to make it close on the wire. He's a winner waiting to happen with seconds in back-toback runs. Forever Glorious was squeezed out late between the quinella pair after a one-off trip from behind midfield. It was a return to form after disappointing four times following a second in December. Our Lucky Glory made good ground late for fourth after settling four back on the fence. He's now picked up fourths in two of seven attempts over the Valley 1,650m. Post-time favourite Courier Magic only plodded when asked for an effort after a prominent run on the fence. He's failed three times to build on back-toback placings. Super Sicario didn't see out the trip after sitting third in the run. Sunday's Serenade opted to take the short route home upon straightening from near the rear but gave up the chase when impeded near the 200m.

Racing Incident Report

Race Three : (671) - WU KING HANDICAP - Class 4 - 1650Meters

Horse No 1 SUNDAY'S SERENADE (J231) Z Purton From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Approaching the 200 Metres was steadied when disappointed for a run to the inside of ARTHUR'S KINGDOM which shifted in.

Horse No 2 SURE JOYFUL (G125) M F Poon M F Poon pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference over the final 100 Metres (see FOREVER GLORIOUS).

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 3 FOREVER GLORIOUS (G229) L Hewitson M F Poon (SURE JOYFUL) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the final 100 Metres he allowed his mount to shift out whilst riding it along when not clear of FOREVER GLORIOUS, resulting in FOREVER GLORIOUS being crowded for some distance and being checked approaching the winning post, resulting in FOREVER GLORIOUS also making contact with MIDORI FUJI.

M F Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 8 June 2025 and to expire on Thursday, 12 June 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In addition, Jockey Poon was fined $55,000.

In assessing penalty, the Stewards determined the carelessness grade 3 and the consequences grade 2 and also considered his very good race riding record.

Prior to declaring weighed-in the Stewards gave consideration if there were sufficient grounds for a protest/objection against SURE JOYFUL being declared the winner after FOREVER GLORIOUS was crowded over the final 100 Metres and checked approaching the winning post.

Having regard to the manner in which both horses were finishing the race off and when the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that there were sufficient grounds for a protest/objection, they declined to lodge a protest/objection and weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge.

Horse No 5 MIDORI FUJI (J432) H Bowman Jumped only fairly.

From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Prior to declaring weighed-in Jockey H Bowman and Trainer D Eustace viewed the patrol films to ascertain if there were sufficient grounds for a protest/objection against SURE JOYFUL being declared the winner due to MIDORI FUJI being contacted on a number of occasions over the final 100 Metres when FOREVER GLORIOUS was carried out by SURE JOYFUL.

When Jockey Bowman and Mr Eustace declined to lodge a protest/objection and the Stewards were satisfied that that there were not sufficient grounds to do so, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the Judge.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 6 BEAU CADEAU (J334) K C Leung Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

The performance of BEAU CADEAU, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, BEAU CADEAU 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 found that horse to be a "roarer" which had previously been reported.

Horse No 8 SUNNY DARLING (J171) E C W Wong Shifted out at the start and was bumped.

Horse No 9 WAH MAY WAI WAI (J193) Y L Chung After the event Y L Chung stated that the instructions were to hold a forward position.

He said when the early stages of the event were run inside of standard time and his mount was caught wide in the early stages, he elected to steady WAH MAY WAI WAI to endeavour to obtain a position with cover.

He added that when FOREVER GLORIOUS held its position to his inside he was obliged to race wide albeit with cover behind BEAU CADEAU.

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

The performance of WAH MAY WAI WAI, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable.

Before being allowed to race again, WAH MAY WAI WAI 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 10 SUPER SICARIO (K306) K De Melo Jumped only fairly and then was hampered when crowded by SUNNY DARLING which shifted out.

When questioned K De Melo stated that approaching the 1100 Metres when positioned to the outside of SUNNY DARLING he allowed his mount to shift in when positioned close to the heels of that runner.

He said as a result he was obliged to steady his mount to avoid SUNNY DARLING.

K De Melo was advised to exercise more care and provide his mounts with comfortable racing room when shifting ground.

He added that in the Home Straight SUPER SICARIO hung in, made contact with COURIER MAGIC over the final 100 Metres and proved difficult to ride out.

When questioned regarding his mount settling more forward, K De Melo stated that with the horse stepping up in distance he was given the option of taking up a more forward position if circumstances permitted.

He said after jumping well he continued forward and was obliged to make some use of his mount to cross BEAU CADEAU in the early stages.

Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions issued.

Horse No 12 COURIER MAGIC (H290) A Badel Jumped only fairly.

Lay out in the Home Straight and near the 100 Metres made contact with SUPER SICARIO which shifted in when hanging.

Over the final 100 Metres COURIER MAGIC then made contact with SUPER SICARIO on a number of occasions when that runner continued to hang in.

K De Melo was advised to exercise more care.

Sent for sampling post-race.