28/02/2024  Happy Valley  Race 1

CLASSIC ARCHI (G295): Bumped on jumping. From the 800 Metres raced wide and without cover after it made a forward move to follow PALACE PAL. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. NICE BIRDIE (G470): Shifted out shortly after the start and was bumped. PALACE PAL (G172): Bumped on the hindquarters on jumping and became unbalanced. Sent for sampling post-race. HAPPY HERO (G322): No report. COLOURFUL BARON (G301): No report. VINCY (B213): Bumped shortly after the start. CIRCUIT ELITE (E487): Jumped awkwardly, shifted out and was bumped. When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight, K C Leung stated that after being positioned to the inside of NICE BIRDIE near the 300 Metres, he observed that runner was inclined to shift in and as he was concerned NICE BIRDIE would continue to shift in and he would become held up behind LOYAL AMBITION, he elected to ease CIRCUIT ELITE approaching the 200 Metres to shift to the outside of NICE BIRDIE to secure clear running. He added as he endeavoured to do so, CIRCUIT ELITE made contact with MIGHTY STAR and had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 100 Metres. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Leung were reasonable in the circumstances. Noted to have blood in its mouth after the race. BRILLIANT PIONEER (G255): After the race, H Bentley reported that his mount was unsuited when the pace of the event increased along the Back Straight when PALACE PAL went forward and was under pressure from that point. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. DIAMOND WINNER (H285): Jumped only fairly and then was crowded shortly after the start. In the early stages raced keenly and for some distance after the 1700 Metres was steadied away from PALACE PAL. After the 400 Metres became held up behind CLASSIC ARCHI and when being shifted to the outside of CLASSIC ARCHI near the 350 Metres made contact with HAPPY HERO. Then raced tight between HAPPY HERO and CLASSIC ARCHI for some distance thereafter. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, DIAMOND WINNER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Sent for sampling post-race. LOYAL AMBITION (E489): Bumped on jumping. Sent for sampling post-race. GOLDEN FAIRY (E448): Near the 200 Metres was disappointed for clear running to the inside of COLOURFUL BARON when that runner shifted in, resulting in GOLDEN FAIRY having to be shifted out where it secured clear running approaching the 150 Metres. After the race, A Badel reported that when the pace of the event increased along the Back Straight, GOLDEN FAIRY came under pressure and finished the race off only fairly. MIGHTY STAR (G117): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. From the 400 Metres to the 300 Metres was held up for clear running behind DIAMOND WINNER. Near the 200 Metres was crowded between BRILLIANT PIONEER which shifted in slightly and CIRCUIT ELITE (K C Leung) which was shifted to the outside of NICE BIRDIE. K C Leung was advised to exercise more care. AI ONE (E139): Withdrawn on 27.2.24 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPY HERO. Before being allowed to race again, AI ONE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.