28/06/2017  Happy Valley  Race 8

SUPER FLUKE was withdrawn on 27.6.17 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HO HO HORSE (C Y Ho). Before being allowed to race again, SUPER FLUKE will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Shortly after the start, HO HO HORSE and TRAVEL DATUK were crowded for room between PERPETUAL JOYANCE which shifted out and GENERAL IRON which shifted in after being bumped on the hindquarters by TRAVEL DATUK. DOLLAR REWARD and TRUMP were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. YOU READ MY MIND travelled wide and without cover until near the 800 Metres at which time MASTER VIKING was left racing wide and without cover before being ridden along passing the 700 Metres to race outside the lead. Approaching the 700 Metres, HEALTHY LUCK was awkwardly placed close to the heels of YOU READ MY MIND (Apprentice M F Poon) which, after shifting in when only just clear, then steadied the tempo in the lead. Apprentice Poon was advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground and does not unnecessarily reduce the tempo which makes it difficult for following horses. Passing the 700 Metres, SUNNY DRAGON got its head up when awkwardly placed close to the heels of PERPETUAL JOYANCE. HO HO HORSE, which was following, shifted out away from the heels of SUNNY WIN in consequence and then commenced to prove difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of EXTREMELY FUN. In this incident, TRUMP was taken wider by HO HO HORSE. At the entrance to the Straight, HO HO HORSE was awkwardly placed inside the heels of EXTREMELY FUN. Passing the 250 Metres, DOLLAR REWARD, which was closing off well, was shifted to the outside of SUNNY DRAGON to obtain clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, after being shifted to the outside of MASTER VIKING into clear running, PERPETUAL JOYANCE got its head on the side, lay out and proved difficult to ride for the remainder of the race. HO HO HORSE was unable to obtain clear running from near the 150 Metres until after passing the 100 Metres. DOLLAR REWARD and TRAVEL DATUK were both unable to obtain clear running over the final 100 Metres and consequently were not able to be tested. When questioned regarding the performance of PRINCE HARMONY, D Whyte stated that after his mount began awkwardly, PRINCE HARMONY was then able to obtain a good position without having to make too much use of the horse. He said PRINCE HARMONY travelled well amongst horses with YOU READ MY MIND improving to its outside after the 1000 Metres. He said PRINCE HARMONY came under pressure rounding the Home Turn and then in the Straight was inclined to lay out under pressure. He added whilst PRINCE HARMONY was disappointing, the horse had raced consistently this season and he believed it had come to the end of its preparation. A veterinary inspection of PRINCE HARMONY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of HEALTHY LUCK, J Moreira stated that after being crossed by YOU READ MY MIND approaching the 700 Metres, HEALTHY LUCK became unbalanced and then appeared to lose confidence. He said in the early part of the Straight HEALTHY LUCK felt as though it may quicken when placed under pressure, however, when YOU READ MY MIND shifted in in advance of HEALTHY LUCK, his mount appeared to be reluctant to improve into this run and then did not finish off the race over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of HEALTHY LUCK immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. HEALTHY LUCK, SUNNY DRAGON and PERPETUAL JOYANCE were sent for sampling.