Recap by phillip woo

Sky Field was too good after shooting to the lead 200m out following a patient ride third last for a fourth success this term. He relished a step up in distance after making a good impression to place in back-to-back group races over the 1,200m. Sky Darci got up in deep stretch for second after biding his time at the rear of the field. It was another solid effort despite a step back in distance. Champion's Way ran on nicely near the inside to fill a placing after making his run one from the rear. He's always a chance over this trip. Well-backed late Lucky Patch found a few too good after hitting the front 300m out going forward to track the leader Buddies 920m out. It was another honest performance. Rattan ran on from towards the rear to pick up a minor cheque without ever looking a winning chance. He just hasn't been able to get into a rhythm in a start-and-stop campaign. Buddies found the front 1,100m out and was on his tippy toes 100m out after getting headed for the lead mid-straight. Healthy Happy was eased down mid-straight after a handy run following a tardy start. Something wasn't right with him.

Racing Incident Report

Race Seven: (764) - THE PREMIER CUP (HANDICAP) - Class G3 - 1400Meters

RATTAN shifted out at the start and bumped JOLLY BANNER.

When RATTAN and JOLLY BANNER bumped, HEALTHY HAPPY, which had begun only fairly, was hampered when bumped by JOLLY BANNER.

VOYAGE WARRIOR shifted out at the start and bumped BUDDIES.

Despite being ridden along in the early stages, MIGHTY GIANT was slow to muster speed.

Approaching and passing the 800 Metres, CHAMPION'S WAY commenced to race very keenly and was checked away from the heels of RATTAN which itself was awkwardly placed behind JOLLY BANNER which got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of VOYAGE WARRIOR as that horse obtained cover behind BUDDIES.

After the 700 Metres, NOT USUAL TALENT was left racing wide and without cover.

A veterinary inspection of NOT USUAL TALENT immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm.

Before being allowed to race again, NOT USUAL TALENT will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Passing the 500 Metres, MIGHTY GIANT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HEALTHY HAPPY when being shifted to the outside of that horse.

Passing the 150 Metres, NOT USUAL TALENT and VOYAGE WARRIOR raced tight.

Approaching the 100 Metres, SKY DARCI got its head on the side and lay in.

M F Poon (LUCKY PATCH) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift out, resulting in RATTAN being checked when unnecessarily crowded for room between LUCKY PATCH and SKY DARCI.

M F Poon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 4 July 2021 and to expire on Thursday, 8 July 2021 which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays).

In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account Jockey Poon's good race riding record.

When questioned, J Moreira stated that from barrier 2, it was hoped that SKY DARCI would be able to obtain a position behind midfield.

He said however despite being ridden along in the early stages, SKY DARCI, which was dropping back in distance, failed to muster sufficient speed despite being ridden along which resulted in the horse racing towards the rear of the field in the early and middle stages.

A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY HAPPY immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea.

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

SKY FIELD and SKY DARCI were sent for sampling.