22/11/2023  Happy Valley  Race 1

ERNEST FEELING (E209): Sent for sampling post-race. ISLAND SURPRISE (E429): Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. CHARMING STEED (E494): Sent for sampling post-race. NORDIC COMBINED (G015): 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. MODEST GENTLEMAN (G352): In the middle stages raced keenly. Lay out on the Home Turn and then continued to lay out in the Home Straight before being corrected by its rider M L Yeung. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FIRE BALL (D087): Jumped only fairly. HAPPY TANGO (D075): Approaching the 200 Metres lay in and was corrected by its rider L Hewitson. Then shifted out when being corrected. Sent for sampling post-race. BRILLIANT PIONEER (G255): Approaching the 1000 Metres was steadied away from CHARMING STEED (K H Chan) which shifted in when not clear. K H Chan was severely reprimanded and advised he must ensure he provides sufficient clearance when shifting ground. Near the 600 Metres shifted in and away from ISLAND SURPRISE and made slight contact with ERNEST FEELING. A short distance later shifted out and was severely checked when racing tight between ERNEST FEELING and ISLAND SURPRISE and as a consequence lost ground. The Stewards found that the racing manners of BRILLIANT PIONEER were the principal reason for the interference occurring. A Atzeni stated that after striking interference near the 600 Metres, his mount failed to finish the race off from that point. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. FIGHTING STAR (E255): Bumped shortly after the start and from the outside barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Steadied near the 600 Metres. EASY TWO (G423): Jumped only fairly. Near the 1100 Metres, when racing keenly, got its head up when being steadied away from MISTER ARM when that runner gave ground. Then continued to over-race in the early stages and near the 950 Metres shifted out when being steadied away from MISTER ARM. Near the 600 Metres was shifted to the outside to avoid BRILLIANT PIONEER. DAY DAY RICH (D231): When questioned, C L Chau stated that his instructions were to lead. He said DAY DAY RICH was able to obtain the lead comfortably in the early stages without being pressured but disappointed in its failure to respond to his riding in the Home Straight. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of DAY DAY RICH was considered to be disappointing as compared to its last start. Before being allowed to race again, DAY DAY RICH will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MISTER ARM (D491): Checked at the 600 Metres.