28/06/2023  Happy Valley  Race 7

CHEONG FAT was slow to begin. SPEEDY CHARIOT jumped awkwardly and lost ground. LEAN MASTER shifted out at the start and bumped WIND SPEEDER. Shortly after the start, JUNEAU FLASH and LEAN MASTER were crowded for room between WIND SPEEDER and SUPER EAGLE, both of which shifted ground. Near the 1100 Metres, LEAN MASTER and JUNEAU FLASH right tight to the inside of WIND SPEEDER. A short distance later, when WIND SPEEDER was steadied to obtain cover, JUNEAU FLASH then shifted out when positioned close to SUPER EAGLE, resulting in JUNEAU FLASH and LEAN MASTER making heavy contact and LEAN MASTER becoming unbalanced. WIND SPEEDER, which was following, was inconvenienced as a consequence. LEAN MASTER was left racing wide and without cover from the 800 Metres. SUPER EAGLE was held up on the Home Turn. When questioned, L Ferraris (STOICISM) reported that his mount hung out throughout the event and proved difficult to control. He said from the 600 Metres the bit pulled through his mount’s mouth. He added rounding the Home Turn STOICISM shifted out and was checked away from the heels of KING INVINCIBLE, resulting in CHARMING STEED being crowded between STOICISM and LEAN MASTER. He said as a result he was unable to ride his mount out in the Home Straight until near the 200 Metres when he obtained clear running to the outside of SUPER DOBBIN. After being crowded by STOICISM making the Home Turn, CHARMING STEED then raced tight between STOICISM and LEAN MASTER for some distance thereafter. Again near the 200 Metres, CHARMING STEED was crowded by STOICISM when that runner shifted out and away from SUPER DOBBIN. The racing manners of STOICISM were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, STOICISM will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial around a bend in Hong Kong. After the race, Z Purton (KING INVINCIBLE) reported that from the outside barrier he had to make use of his mount in the early stages to take up a position outside the lead and as a consequence KING INVINCIBLE was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection of KING INVINCIBLE immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer”. Also after the race, A Hamelin (SUPER DOBBIN) stated that he was asked to ride SUPER DOBBIN positively from its wide barrier as it had raced successfully previously when ridden in this manner. He added as a result he rode SUPER DOBBIN along in the early stages to comply with his instructions, but when caught wide, he was obliged to continue forward and lead which resulted in SUPER DOBBIN racing further forward than anticipated. Trainer A T Millard confirmed the instructions issued. Trainer C Fownes confirmed that from a wide barrier he had instructed H Bentley not to ride CHARMING STEED in the lead as he anticipated fast early pace of the event. A veterinary inspection of CHARMING STEED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SOLAR PARTNER and SUPER EAGLE were sent for sampling.