31/01/2024  Happy Valley  Race 6

JUMBO LEGEND (G266): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. E UNIVERSE (H151): Prior to declaring weighed-in, the Stewards considered whether E UNIVERSE had been afforded a fair start as it failed to jump with the field. After viewing the videos and considering the evidence, the Stewards found that E UNIVERSE, whilst being fractious in the gates, refused to jump and took no part in the race, however, had not been denied a fair start and therefore was declared a runner. Trainer K L Man was advised that E UNIVERSE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a series of consecutive barrier trials before its next race start. HAPPY GOLF (H056): Bumped on jumping. Lay in over the final 150 Metres and was corrected by its rider H Bowman near the 50 Metres. Leaving the 100 Metres H Bowman’s whip was knocked from his grasp by the whip of M F Poon, the rider of ISLAND BRIGHT. Sent for sampling post-race. HIGH RISE SOLDIER (C511): Over the concluding stages raced tight between ISLAND BRIGHT and TALENTS SUPREMO. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KING ECCELLENTE (G264): When questioned, K Teetan stated that from a wide barrier he was given the option to go forward if his mount commenced well, but also he was instructed that if his mount did not commence well enough to go forward, to come back and find cover. He said after KING ECCELLENTE jumped awkwardly, he elected to shift his mount across behind runners in the early stages. He said after the 300 Metres when following TALENTS SUPREMO, he felt that runner was going to shift to the inside of HIGH RISE SOLDIER and as a result he elected to come to the outside of TALENTS SUPREMO to secure clear running. He added that as he commenced to shift out TALENTS SUPREMO then shifted out in advance of him which resulted in KING ECCELLENTE having to be shifted out between the 250 Metres and the 150 Metres to secure clear running to the outside of GREAT ACHIEVER. GREAT ACHIEVER (J049): From the 900 Metres commenced to race keenly and got its head up and for some distance near the 800 Metres was steadied away from HIGH RISE SOLDIER. Was then left racing wide and without cover from the 700 Metres. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BRAVO WARRIOR (J088): No report. LUCKY SYMPHONY (J089): Jumped only fairly. Approaching the 1000 Metres, when racing keenly, was steadied when racing tight to the inside of GREAT ACHIEVER which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider C L Chau. After the race, Z Purton reported that throughout the early and middle stages LUCKY SYMPHONY over-raced badly, refused to settle and as a consequence did not finish the race off. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The racing manners of LUCKY SYMPHONY were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, LUCKY SYMPHONY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial around a bend in Hong Kong. TALENTS SUPREMO (H133): Shifted in at the start and was bumped. When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight, B Avdulla stated that when positioned behind HIGH RISE SOLDIER, he was reluctant to improve to that runner’s inside as he felt that ISLAND BRIGHT would give ground, resulting in his mount being held up. He said as a result he elected to shift to the outside of HIGH RISE SOLDIER and HAPPY GOLF where he secured clear running at the 200 Metres and his mount finished the race off reasonably well. Noted to have lost its left front plate after the race. COUNTRY DANCER (H436): No report. ISLAND BRIGHT (H363): No report. ALLOY KING (D287): After the race, M L Yeung reported that he was instructed to ride his mount conservatively in the early stages, but ALLOY KING jumped well and he elected then to allow it to stride forward and lead. Trainer K H Ting confirmed the instructions issued. Sent for sampling post-race.