05/10/2017  Happy Valley  Race 4

RIVERSIDE BIRD began awkwardly. MAGICAL CHAMPION began very awkwardly, shifted in abruptly at the start and bumped the hindquarters of MANFUL STAR which became unbalanced. Shortly after the start, ROYAL CHOCOLATE, which was being eased, was further steadied away from the heels of LOVE CHUNGHWA which was taken out by OUR HERO which in turn was taken out by CHEERFULJET which shifted out after being bumped by BUDDY BUNDY. From a wide barrier, PLANET STAR was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, RIVERSIDE BIRD got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of OUR HERO, resulting in RIVERSIDE BIRD being awkwardly placed inside that horse for a short distance and losing ground. CHEERFULJET hung out making the turn after the 1000 Metres. PHANTOM FALCON, which was racing outside the heels of CHEERFULJET, was hampered when taken wider by that horse. PHANTOM FALCON travelled wide and without cover until after the 700 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, PLANET STAR was shifted in away from the heels of BEAR CHUM to obtain clear running. Near the 150 Metres, MAGICAL CHAMPION was steadied when held up for clear running behind PLANET STAR and BUDDY BUNDY which was giving ground. MAGICAL CHAMPION was then unable to obtain clear running until over the concluding stages and consequently was not able to be properly tested. ROYAL CHOCOLATE was held up for clear running from approaching the 100 Metres until after passing the 50 Metres. For the majority of the race, SKY TREASURE travelled wide and without cover. After the race, Apprentice M F Poon (BUDDY BUNDY) stated that when placed under pressure in the early part of the Straight, his mount was not entirely comfortable in its action and then did not stretch out over the concluding stages. A veterinary inspection of BUDDY BUNDY immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, BUDDY BUNDY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Also after the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that BEAR CHUM had bled from both nostrils. PHANTOM FALCON, MANFUL STAR and LOVE CHUNGHWA were sent for sampling.