26/04/2017  Happy Valley  Race 3

The Stewards were informed by the Veterinary Officer prior to Race 1 that SUNNY ORIENT became fractious when being transported to Happy Valley from Sha Tin and sustained abrasions to its left hind leg. The Veterinary Officer reported that at this time SUNNY ORIENT was suitable to race, however, the horse would be reassessed closer to race time. A subsequent veterinary inspection confirmed SUNNY ORIENT to be suitable to race. EMPIRE STAR began only fairly and shortly after the start lost ground when crowded for room between GENEROUS BOBO and G-ONE UNION which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the considerable efforts of its rider. Shortly after the start, CLEVER SPIRIT raced tight between SUNNY ORIENT and BOLSHOI BALLET which shifted in. Near the 850 Metres, DR RACE raced in restricted room inside REGENCY HONEY which shifted in marginally when also racing tight inside BOLSHOI BALLET. After the 800 Metres, SIGHT SEEING was left racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 200 Metres, CLEVER SPIRIT was steadied when disappointed for running between WHISTLE UP and EMPIRE STAR which shifted out. Approaching the 100 Metres, REGENCY HONEY was shifted in away from the heels of BOLSHOI BALLET. Passing the 100 Metres, as EMPIRE STAR and WHISTLE UP attempted to improve into tight running between BOLSHOI BALLET (B Prebble) and SIGHT SEEING (Apprentice H N Wong), WHISTLE UP was checked when tightened between EMPIRE STAR which was taken out marginally by BOLSHOI BALLET and SIGHT SEEING which shifted in slightly. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the individual shifts of both BOLSHOI BALLET and SIGHT SEEING were marginal, nonetheless B Prebble and Apprentice H N Wong were advised to do their utmost to prevent their mounts from shifting ground. Close to the finishing line, REGENCY HONEY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BOLSHOI BALLET which shifted in away from EMPIRE STAR which was awkwardly placed inside the heels of SIGHT SEEING. As a consequence, REGENCY HONEY was not able to be ridden out to the end of the race. Also close to the finishing line, G-ONE UNION raced tight between HIGH ENERGY and OCTAL LUCK. When questioned regarding his riding of WHISTLE UP after the 600 Metres, T H So stated that at this time he had been racing behind REGENCY HONEY which was racing to the inside of SIGHT SEEING which was in a three wide position without cover. He said passing the 500 Metres he commenced to shift out away from the heels of REGENCY HONEY and at this time received a call from the rider of SUNNY ORIENT which was improving quickly around WHISTLE UP. He said he therefore remained racing behind REGENCY HONEY and then rounding the Home Turn shifted WHISTLE UP out to improve between SIGHT SEEING and SUNNY ORIENT. He said when he did this SUNNY ORIENT shifted in and because of this he was then no longer able to improve between those horses. He added he immediately shifted WHISTLE UP to the inside of SIGHT SEEING and commenced to improve into clear running between that horse and EMPIRE STAR. He said WHISTLE UP did not quicken but rather was finishing off the race one-paced and because of this EMPIRE STAR was able to improve quickly to the inside of WHISTLE UP which was crowded for room passing the 100 Metres. T H So was advised that his explanation would be reported, however, he was informed that his riding of the horse after the 600 Metres had come under notice and that he should have made a more concerted effort to shift out from behind REGENCY HONEY to follow SIGHT SEEING rounding the Home Turn which would have afforded WHISTLE UP the opportunity to immediately shift to that horse’s outside on straightening. A veterinary inspection of BOLSHOI BALLET immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. EMPIRE STAR, DR RACE and SUNNY ORIENT were sent for sampling.