29/10/2023  Happy Valley  Race 3

CORDYCEPS ONE (E107): No report. BRAVE AND BOLD (H275): Jumped awkwardly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1500 Metres was steadied away from SHENZHOU TWELVE. UNITED ENDEAVORS (G030): Sent for sampling post-race. MILLENNIUM FALCON (D281): Near the 1500 Metres was momentarily crowded by CORDYCEPS ONE which shifted in before being corrected by its rider. MEDIC ELITE (G129): Approaching the 300 Metres was steadied away from EAGLE RUN as that horse commenced to give ground. Passing the 200 Metres was steadied when disappointed for clear running between MILLENNIUM FALCON and UNITED ENDEAVORS (Apprentice Y L Chung) which shifted out and as a result was shifted to the inside of UNITED ENDEAVORS near the 150 Metres to secure clear running. Apprentice Chung was advised to exercise more care. Sent for sampling post-race. VIVA A LA (G282): After the race, K C Leung reported that his mount raced keenly in the lead and as a result was left without a finishing effort in the Home Straight and raced in a disappointing manner. Trainer K L Man stated that he agreed with the views expressed by Jockey Leung in that VIVA A LA raced too keenly, particularly when pressured by EAGLE RUN in the early stages. He added that VIVA A LA had pleased him leading into today’s event and this was the only explanation he could offer for its disappointing performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of VIVA A LA, a last start winner, was considered to be disappointing as compared to its last start. Before being allowed to race again, VIVA A LA will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EAGLE RUN (G415): When questioned regarding the performance, K De Melo stated that from the outside barrier he was instructed to take up a forward position. He said after riding EAGLE RUN along in the early stages, he was able to settle outside VIVA A LA in the early and middle stages. He added making the Home Turn EAGLE RUN came under pressure, did not respond to his riding from that point and he was not comfortable with the horse’s action in the Home Straight, particularly on pulling up. Trainer D J Whyte confirmed the instructions were to take up a forward position from the outside barrier and had expected the horse to perform better than it did today. 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, EAGLE RUN will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. PEAK TO PEAK (D472): Fractious in the barriers as the start was effected, leant on the right side of the barrier and as a consequence jumped awkwardly and lost ground. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. As a result of its barrier manners, PEAK TO PEAK will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination before being allowed to race again. GENEROUS FRIEND (G439): No report. SHENZHOU TWELVE (G164): No report. SMART BEAUTY (G477): Bumped shortly after the start. HANG'S CHOICE (E311): Sent for sampling post-race.