Recap by phillip woo

Following a stable change, Golden Darci came from last and widest out to get up 20m out for a maiden win at his 18th local start. He had gate 12 but was down in Class Five and suited by the race tempo. Wind Speeder found one too good after a prominent run on the fence. He's racing very well without winning this season. Ragnarr kept on very well for third after emerging the clear leader of an early six-horse battle for the lead. He's close to a win. Woodfire Champ ran on well for fourth after making his run three from the rear. It was a return to form. Hoss was doing his best work late for fifth after making his run one from the rear. It was another honest effort. Winning Heart made some ground without threatening after a wide trip with cover from midfield. He's only gone OK in two of his past four starts. Talents Supremo only held his ground after improving to travel midfield on the fence from gate 10. After getting dragged back to travel fourth last following a six-wide trip near the speed early on, Ever Smart had an excuse after getting impeded 200m out.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two : (554) - NIIGATA HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1200Meters

Horse No 1 LUCKY GENERATIONS (J338) L Ferraris Near the 600 Metres was checked to avoid ISLAND GOLDEN.

For some distance approaching the 200 Metres was held up for clear running behind SPEEDY SMARTIE and near the 200 Metres was checked and made contact with ISLAND GOLDEN when disappointed for clear running to the outside of SPEEDY SMARTIE.

Horse No 2 SWEET DIAMOND (G063) B Thompson B Thompson pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge for causing interference near the 600 Metres (see ISLAND GOLDEN).

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

Before being allowed to race again, SWEET DIAMOND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Horse No 3 GOLDEN DARCI (H470) J Orman From the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 4 ISLAND GOLDEN (H018) M Chadwick B Thompson (SWEET DIAMOND) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 600 Metres he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of ISLAND GOLDEN, resulting in ISLAND GOLDEN having to be steadied and LUCKY GENERATIONS and WOODFIRE CHAMP, which were following, having to be checked.

B Thompson was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 27 April 2025 and to expire on Thursday, 1 May 2025 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

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

Approaching the 200 Metres was crowded for room between WINNING HEART which shifted in slightly and LUCKY GENERATIONS (L Ferraris) which shifted to the outside of SPEEDY SMARTIE where there was not sufficient room to do so.

L Ferraris was severely reprimanded and advised he must ensure there is sufficient racing room when improving into runs.

Horse No 5 TALENTS SUPREMO (H133) Z Purton Jumped only fairly.

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

Z Purton was found guilty of a careless riding charge for causing interference approaching the 1000 Metres (see HOSS).

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a large skin wound to the right hind leg.

Horse No 7 EVER SMART (J179) H Bentley When questioned, H Bentley stated that when holding an on-pace position in the early stages he was obliged to make use of his mount when caught wide in an attempt go forward.

He said when unable to cross runners to his inside he elected to restrain EVER SMART making the turn near the 1000 Metres to obtain a position with cover.

When questioned regarding his riding rounding the turn and in the early part of the Home Straight and as to whether there was an opportunity to improve to the outside of WINNING HEART, H Bentley stated that given the hard run that his mount had sustained in the early stages, he was reluctant to improve around runners on the Home Turn and for this reason he remained racing behind WINNING HEART.

He added when WINNING HEART shifted out approaching the Home Straight he then attempted to obtain clear running to the inside of WINNING HEART and to the outside of ISLAND GOLDEN.

He said when that run closed EVER SMART was held up for clear running between the 300 Metres and the 150 Metres.

Jockey Bentley agreed with the Stewards that he had made an error of judgement on the Home Turn by not shifting to the outside of WINNING HEART to obtain clear running.

Horse No 8 WINNING HEART (H065) A Badel Approaching the 1000 Metres was eased when racing in restricted room between SWEET DIAMOND which was racing tight to the inside of SPEEDY SMARTIE and RAGNARR which shifted out slightly.

Horse No 9 HOSS (H055) K Teetan Z Purton (TALENTS SUPREMO) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that approaching the 1000 Metres he directed his mount in when not clear of HOSS, resulting in TALENTS SUPREMO making contact with HOSS and HOSS becoming unbalanced when crowded for room and a short distance later HOSS having to be checked when it lost its rightful running.

Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for one Hong Kong raceday to be conducted on Wednesday, 9 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.

Leaving the 500 Metres was steadied when crowded by WOODFIRE CHAMP which shifted in when being checked away from LUCKY GENERATIONS.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 10 SPEEDY SMARTIE (H108) B Avdulla Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

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

Horse No 11 WOODFIRE CHAMP (H292) K C Leung Near the 600 Metres was checked to avoid LUCKY GENERATIONS, resulting in WOODFIRE CHAMP commencing to race keenly and improving to the inside of LUCKY GENERATIONS where it was then placed in restricted room to the inside of that runner.

Horse No 12 WIND SPEEDER (E281) M L Yeung Making the turn approaching the 1000 Metres shifted in and brushed the running rail.

Near the 600 Metres lay in and brushed the running rail.

Sent for sampling post-race.