20/09/2023  Happy Valley  Race 6

VIVA HUNTER jumped only fairly. IVY LEAGUE was crowded on jumping by UP AND UP which shifted out. From a wide barrier, DARCI JOY was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. WINNING DRAGON was caught wide in the early stages before being allowed to move forward and settle outside the lead near the 1000 Metres. Making the Home Turn, RISING FROM ASHES shifted to the outside of WINNING DRAGON to improve, resulting in UP AND UP being taken out and hampering CAPITAL LEGEND. When questioned regarding the reason why CAPITAL LEGEND lost its position with cover behind UP AND UP near the 700 Metres, A Atzeni stated that approaching that point the pace of the event steadied. He said as a consequence CAPITAL LEGEND was eased away from the heels of UP AND UP, resulting in his mount shifting out and racing three wide. He added shortly after IVY LEAGUE then improved to his inside and he was then unable to resume his position with cover and as a consequence his mount raced wide and without cover from that point. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of UP AND UP, K Teetan stated that his intention was to obtain a forward position with cover. He said in the early stages UP AND UP raced keenly and refused to settle. He said even when provided with a position behind WINNING DRAGON at the 1000 Metres, UP AND UP continued to race too keenly and as a result was left without a finishing effort. Trainer C S Shum stated that UP AND UP had trialed well on 5 September 2023 when it wore blinkers on that occasion and as a result he elected to apply blinkers for the first time on UP AND UP tonight. He added having regard to the manner in which UP AND UP raced this evening, his intention now is to remove blinkers for its next race start. A veterinary inspection of UP AND UP immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of UP AND UP was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, UP AND UP 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 of WINNING DRAGON and DARCI JOY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. RISING FROM ASHES and CAPITAL LEGEND were sent for sampling.