31/05/2023  Happy Valley  Race 5

On jumping, OVERSUBSCRIBED was bumped by ACE TALENT which shifted in, resulting in OVERSUBSCRIBED shifting in and bumping with SAVVY DELIGHT. Also on jumping, MR FUN shifted in and made contact with the hindquarters of ACE TALENT. Then from a wide barrier, MR FUN was shifted across behind runners in the early stages and was inclined to lay in and near the 800 Metres was steadied away from SAVVY DELIGHT. MR FUN continued to lay in throughout the middle stages. From the outside barrier, HEARTY WISH was also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Close to the finish, SAVVY DELIGHT could not be ridden out when crowded between OVERSUBSCRIBED and MR VALIANT which shifted in. After the race, Z Purton (SAVVY DELIGHT) reported that his mount was obliged to race wide for the majority of the event and under its top weight found it difficult to finish the race off. A veterinary inspection of SAVVY DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned, A Badel (NICETOBEMET) stated that after being fractious in the barriers, his mount commenced awkwardly and made contact with the left side of its gate. He said with the fast early pace NICETOBEMET failed to show sufficient pace to hold a more forward position despite his efforts and as a consequence settled towards the rear of the field. He added that throughout the middle stages he endeavoured to encourage his mount forward, however, NICETOBEMET, due to the fast pace, became unbalanced when urged forward and for this reason he was obliged to hold his mount together in the middle stages. He further stated that on straightening he was able to place his mount under pressure and NICETOBEMET finished the race off only fairly. He said, in his opinion, NICETOBEMET would be better suited by being stepped up in distance where it could be ridden in a conservative manner and would also be better suited racing at Sha Tin. A veterinary inspection of NICETOBEMET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of MR FUN immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER AXIOM and ACE TALENT were sent for sampling.