10/06/2015  Happy Valley  Race 5

In the Parade Ring, BRIGHT STAR became fractious and made contact with a rail. On arrival at the Start, BRIGHT STAR was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. HARBOUR VICTORY began awkwardly, shifted out abruptly shortly after the start and when being corrected got its head up on a number of occasions and consequently lost ground. BRIGHT STAR was crowded for room on jumping between MR GINGER and JOY LUCK WIN which got its head on the side and shifted out. Shortly after the start, IMPERIAL ROME raced tight outside RACING MATE which shifted out after initially being directed out by TURIN PEARL. From wide barriers, GROOVY and PAKISTAN BABY were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the entrance to the Straight, GREAT RUN was shifted in away from the heels of JOY LUCK WIN. Passing the 250 Metres, RACING MATE momentarily raced tight inside GREAT RUN. At the 200 Metres, PAKISTAN BABY was checked away from the heels of MR GINGER which shifted out away from HAPPY METEOR which was taken wider when hampered by JOY LUCK WIN (M L Yeung) which hung out despite the efforts of its rider who at this stage was changing his whip over into his left hand in an attempt to prevent JOY LUCK WIN from continuing to hang out. Having in mind the racing manners of JOY LUCK WIN, no further action was taken. Throughout the race, HAPPY METEOR travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that JOY LUCK WIN, which was having its second race start in Hong Kong tonight, commenced to lay out making the turn near the 1000 Metres. He said on entering the Back Straight JOY LUCK WIN had improved its position in advance of HAPPY BAO BEI to its inside and he attempted to allow JOY LUCK WIN to stride forward to cross HAPPY BAO BEI as he was not sufficiently clear of that horse prior to the 900 Metres. He said when he allowed JOY LUCK WIN extra rein to improve its position in an attempt to clear HAPPY BAO BEI, the horse got its head on the side and hung out. He said every time he allowed the horse more rein, it was continually reluctant to shift to the rail and because of this he was not able to cross HAPPY BAO BEI. He added making the turn after the 600 Metres JOY LUCK WIN continued to lay out and then hung out badly making the Home Turn. He said in the early part of the Straight he attempted to place JOY LUCK WIN under some pressure, however, the horse continued to hang out badly and for this reason he changed his whip into his left hand near the 200 Metres to see if the horse would respond and race more truly. He said despite this JOY LUCK WIN continued to hang out for the remainder of the race and as a consequence was not able to be properly tested. The racing manners of JOY LUCK WIN were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, JOY LUCK WIN will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial around a bend. A veterinary inspection of PAKISTAN BABY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HAPPY BAO BEI and JOY LUCK WIN were sent for sampling.