01/11/2023  Happy Valley  Race 7

SOLID SHALAA (H228): Shortly after the start was checked when crowded by GOLDEN RISE (L Currie) which, after shifting in and making contact with SOLID SHALAA on jumping, then shifted in again before being corrected by its rider. L Currie was advised to exercise more care. Near the 950 Metres was steadied away from TACTICAL COMMAND. When questioned regarding the performance, Z Purton stated that after settling back in the field as a result of the slow pace of the event and under its top weight of 135 lbs his mount found it difficult to make up ground in the Home Straight when the race developed into a sprint home. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Sent for sampling post-race. JOY COMING (H149): When questioned regarding his riding, M L Yeung stated that he was instructed to hold a forward position, preferably with cover. He said in the early stages he was required to ride JOY COMING along in an endeavour to hold a forward position, but was unable to obtain a position closer to the rail and as a result was obliged to race wide and without cover. He added that whilst the pace of the event in the middle stages was slow and his mount was travelling strongly through that section of the race, he was reluctant to allow JOY COMING to stride forward and cross the leaders as it was carrying 133 lbs and he had to make some use of his mount in the early stages to hold a forward position. The Stewards found the tactics adopted in the circumstances were reasonable having regard to the explanation provided by Jockey Yeung. WOOD ON FIRE (C460): Sent for sampling post-race. YOUNG LIFE FOREVER (G308): No report. FLYING ON THE TURF (C477): Jumped awkwardly and then from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. GOLDEN RISE (H242): In the early part of the Home Straight lay in and proved reluctant to shift to the outside of JOY COMING. TACTICAL COMMAND (H197): Making the turn near the 1000 Meres was steadied away from GOLDEN RISE and got its head up. SUPER ELITE (H247): Jumped awkwardly, shifted out and became unbalanced. DIAMOND DIAMOND (H189): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. TELECOM SPIRIT (G310): When questioned regarding the horse leading, A Badel stated that he was instructed to hold a forward position. He said after commencing well and with the slow pace in the early stages, TELECOM SPIRIT was able to lead the event without being unduly pressured. Trainer Y S Tsui confirmed the instructions issued. Sent for sampling post-race. HERO ICON (G422): No report. CRYSTAL POWERFUL (H068): Jumped only fairly and a short distance later was hampered when crowded between YOUNG LIFE FOREVER and SUPER ELITE which shifted out.