04/01/2024  Happy Valley  Race 8

HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE (H093): No report. SON PAK FU (G265): When questioned regarding his riding, C L Chau stated that his instructions were, if possible, to hold a forward position with cover but was also given the option, if necessary, to come back in the early stages in order to avoid racing wide. He said whilst SON PAK FU commenced well, when MAJESTIC STAR and WINNING ICEY also held their positions to his inside, he elected to come back behind those runners to obtain cover as he felt if he remained to the outside of WINNING ICEY, he would have been obliged to race wide and potentially without cover. He added that in the middle stages when positioned at the rear of the field, he was obliged to make use of SON PAK FU to maintain contact with the field and when he observed NORDIC DRAGON commence to improve to the outside from the 500 Metres, he shifted out shortly after to follow that runner into the event. He further stated that after securing clear running after the 300 Metres SON PAK FU finished the race off well. After considering his explanations, the Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Chau throughout the event were reasonable in the circumstances. Trainer T P Yung confirmed the instructions issued. Sent for sampling post-race. NORDIC DRAGON (G467): After entering the track became fractious, resulting in L Ferraris dismounting without incident. Bumped at the start. Near the 150 Metres shifted in and made contact with GOKO WIN. Then approaching the 100 Metres was steadied when crowded between SON PAK FU (C L Chau) which shifted in slightly and GOKO WIN (A Badel) which shifted out slightly when racing tight to the outside of WINNING ICEY. Both C L Chau and A Badel were advised to exercise more care. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MAJESTIC STAR (E203): Near the 1150 Metres made contact with the hindquarters of WINNING ICEY when racing tight to the inside of SON PAK FU, resulting in WINNING ICEY shifting out and MAJESTIC STAR having to be steadied when crowded. On the Home Turn was briefly crowded by WINNING ICEY which lay in and away from DREAM WINNER as DREAM WINNER commenced to give ground. ASTROLOGER (G102): Shortly after the start was crowded by HARMONY N BLESSED which shifted in. Raced wide and without cover until near the 550 Metres. MAJESTIC KNIGHT (G258): Sent for sampling post-race. DREAM WINNER (H308): Bumped at the start. After the race, C Y Ho stated that, in his opinion, DREAM WINNER is still somewhat immature and having its first start at Happy Valley tonight was unable to finish the race off when placed under pressure. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WONDER KIT (G455): Sent for sampling post-race. WINNING ICEY (G246): Bumped on the hindquarters near the 1150 Metres. GOKO WIN (H069): Bumped near the 150 Metres and near the 100 Metres became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters. IMA SINGLE MAN (D476): Shortly after the start was crowded for room. HARMONY N BLESSED (E061): No report.