27/09/2017  Happy Valley  Race 4

After being slow to begin, VICTORY FOLLOW ME was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover at the start. HAPPY FRIENDSHIP began awkwardly. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of G-ONE UNION. Approaching the 1300 Metres, SPICY DOUBLE commenced to prove difficult to settle and was checked away from the heels of BORN TO RACE. Near the 1100 Metres, HAPPY FRIENDSHIP was momentarily awkwardly placed inside the heels of SPICY DOUBLE. Then at the 1000 Metres, HAPPY FRIENDSHIP was steadied when again awkwardly placed inside the heels of SPICY DOUBLE. VICTORY FOLLOW ME, which was following, was checked away from the heels of HAPPY FRIENDSHIP. Over the concluding stages, HAPPY FRIENDSHIP raced tight inside MY GIFT. Approaching the finishing line, Z Purton, the rider of VICTORY FOLLOW ME, was obliged to stop riding and straighten his mount when it shifted in towards MY GIFT. For the majority of the race, NO LAUGHING MATTER travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, K C Leung stated that the only explanation he could offer for the performance of EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA was that the horse did not appear to appreciate racing amongst horses during the event. He said EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA finished off the race only one-paced and was disappointing. A veterinary inspection of EMPIRE OF MONGOLIA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of G-ONE UNION immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, G-ONE UNION will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. BORN TO RACE, LE PEGASE and GOBI STORM were sent for sampling.