08/11/2023  Happy Valley  Race 8

LIGHTNING BOLT (G130): Sent for sampling post-race. GRATEFUL HEART (D278): Sent for sampling post-race. KIMBERLEY (H329): Jumped awkwardly and then shortly after the start was badly crowded by SWEET BRIAR which shifted in abruptly. SEIZING THE MOMENT (E444): No report. STORM LEGEND (G139): Crowded at the start. BEAUTY GLORY (E459): Sent for sampling post-race. SWEET BRIAR (H044): Jumped awkwardly and shifted in abruptly. YOUTH POWER (H358): Near the 1000 Metres commenced to race keenly when positioned tight to the inside of SWEET BRIAR. In the middle stages over-raced and near the 700 Metres got its head up when being steadied away from SWEET BRIAR. LUCKY GOR (G217): Shortly after the start was hampered when crowded between READY TO WIN and SWEET BRIAR which shifted out. When questioned regarding his riding, L Ferraris stated that he was instructed from a wide barrier to ride LUCKY GOR conservatively in the early stages, preferably in a midfield position. He said after jumping well he endeavoured to comply with his instructions, however, LUCKY GOR raced keenly and when he received a call from riders to his inside, he was obliged to make the first turn wide. He added as a result LUCKY GOR continued to race keenly along the Back Straight and although his mount was racing keenly, he was reluctant to allow LUCKY GOR to stride forward given the wide run it had experienced in the early stages. Trainer C Fownes confirmed the instructions issued and advised that such instructions were issued as LUCKY GOR had performed well when ridden behind the pace on 27 September 2023. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. READY TO WIN (E422): Hampered and taken wider shortly after the start. JUMBO FORTUNE (G195): After the 200 Metres was bumped by YOUTH POWER which shifted in. E UNIVERSE (H151): Prior to declaring weighed-in, the Stewards considered as to whether E UNIVERSE had been afforded a fair start. After taking evidence from M L Yeung, Trainer K L Man and Starter, Mr A Speechley, the Stewards found that E UNIVERSE, which had been assisted by a starting gate handler when it was being fractious, had its head turned slightly to the side as the start was effected, however, in the opinion of the Stewards, such occurrence had not resulted in E UNIVERSE being subjected to an unfair start and as a result it was declared a runner. Before being allowed to race again, E UNIVERSE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.