28/06/2023  Happy Valley  Race 2

OWNERS’ STAR was slow to begin. SPLENDID STAR jumped awkwardly, shifted in and brushed with DAILY BEAUTY. Shortly after the start, BARON ZEE shifted in and away from YEE CHEONG BRAVE when bumped by that runner and as a result made contact with SUNNY BABY which shifted out. YEE CHEONG BRAVE was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. SUNNY BABY was held up making the Home Turn. On straightening, ALL IS READY shifted out and made contact with MIGHTY STAR. Approaching the 150 Metres, OWNERS’ STAR was shifted to the outside of MIGHTY STAR to obtain clear running. Near the 100 Metres, MIGHTY STAR raced tight to the inside of CLASSIC ARCHI which was inclined to lay in and as a result bumped ALL IS READY. BARON ZEE raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event. When questioned regarding the improved performance of SPLENDID STAR, Trainer L Ho stated that at its last start SPLENDID STAR failed to run out the 2200 Metres. He said after its last start he had elected to barrier trial SPLENDID STAR on 13 June 2023 where it won and, in his opinion, the horse gained confidence from that win and as a result improved its performance as compared to its previous starts. A veterinary inspection of RING BELLS immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in its trachea and also found the horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. Before being allowed to race again, RING BELLS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of BARON ZEE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SPLENDID STAR and CLASSIC ARCHI were sent for sampling.