27/03/2024  Happy Valley  Race 2

ROMANTIC FANTASY (H168): No report. PEGASUS GENERAL (G189): No report. PRECISE EXPRESS (D198): In the early stages got its head up when being shifted across behind runners and raced keenly in the early and middle stages. REACH GOAL (G067): Slow to begin. Sent for sampling post-race. SHARPEN BRIGHT (H276): Near the 650 Metres was awkwardly placed on the heels of PALACE PAL when that runner shifted out to start a forward move. Sent for sampling post-race. WINNING STEPS (G420): From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Lay in in the Home Straight. LITTLE FAIRY (H206): Jumped awkwardly. Raced wide and without cover until near the 1200 Metres when it was allowed to stride forward and race outside the lead. PALACE PAL (G172): Near the 550 Metres RUNNING AHEAD was taken out slightly when LITTLE FAIRY shifted out to improve. As a result, PALACE PAL was then racing in restricted room between RUNNING AHEAD and REACH GOAL (H Bentley). A short distance later, REACH GOAL then lay in, crowding the running of PALACE PAL, resulting in PALACE PAL having to be checked. On all the available evidence, the Stewards found that a severe reprimand should be issued to H Bentley in that he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in. However, the Stewards were mindful of the contribution of runners to the inside, initially placing PALACE PAL in restricted room. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Sent for sampling post-race. RUNNING AHEAD (G313): Leaving the 300 Metres was eased to avoid PEGASUS GENERAL (H Bowman) which shifted out when not quite clear. H Bowman was advised to exercise more care. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JUBILATION (G029): After the race, M L Yeung reported that from a wide barrier he was requested to ride his mount in a conservative manner in the early stages. Trainer W Y So confirmed the instructions issued. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY BABY (E166): After the race, L Hewitson advised that he was requested to take up a forward position on his mount to take advantage of its light weight in the event. FLYING SILVER (E478): Had difficulty obtaining clear running on the Home Turn and leaving the 200 Metres was briefly held up behind PRECISE EXPRESS before shifting to that runner’s inside to obtain clear running. Then raced tight to the inside of PRECISE EXPRESS over the final 100 Metres. WONDER YEARS (G001): Withdrawn on 25.3.24 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right hind) and replaced by Standby Declared Starter REACH GOAL. Before being allowed to race again, WONDER YEARS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.