15/11/2023  Happy Valley  Race 3

KASA PAPA (G312): No report. PRINCE ALEX (G307): A veterinary inspection immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, PRINCE ALEX will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SNOWALOT (E397): Sent for sampling post-race. READY PLAYER ONE (G143): Jumped awkwardly. FLYING SILVER (E478): Crowded shortly after the start and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the middle stages raced keenly and for some distance near the 900 Metres was steadied away from READY PLAYER ONE. Approaching the 300 Metres was directed to the inside of ALL ARE MINE to secure clear running. ALL ARE MINE (H293): Shortly after the start was bumped by DRAGON STAR which shifted out and as a result lost ground. Approaching the 100 Metres was disappointed for clear running between SPANGLE FORTUNE and PRINCE ALEX which shifted out and as a result was steadied. Was then shifted to the inside to obtain clear running shortly after. YEABOI (G372): After the race, L Ferraris confirmed that from a wide barrier he was instructed to ride YEABOI conservatively in the early stages. Trainer C H Yip confirmed the instructions issued and advised such instructions were issued as YEABOI had raced disappointingly when racing in a forward position at its most recent starts. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SIMPLY MAVERICK (H346): No report. YEE CHEONG WARRIOR (E025): No report. SPANGLE FORTUNE (G427): No report. DRAGON STAR (H128): Sent for sampling post-race. PROSECCO (E457): When questioned regarding his riding, A Badel stated that from the outside barrier he was asked to ride his mount conservatively in the early stages, but he was also instructed that as PROSECCO does not appreciate racing inside other runners, he was to make his run to the outside and he was also given the option to make a mid-race move due to PROSECCO’s light weight and the fact that it is one-paced. He added after entering the Back Straight near the 1000 Metres, he contemplated making a forward move, but when the pace of the event was still strong, he remained racing towards the rear of the field. He said near the 700 Metres when he felt the pace of the race eased slightly, he elected to allow PROSECCO to stride forward and made a forward move. He said after obtaining a position behind and to the inside of SNOWALOT, he waited for that runner to shift out to provide him with cover three wide into the Home Straight whereby PROSECCO, when presented to the outside, ran on reasonably well. Trainer W Y So confirmed the instructions issued. The Stewards found the tactics adopted by Jockey Badel were reasonable in the circumstances.