21/02/2018  Happy Valley  Race 9

The Stewards deferred the declaration of weighed-in whilst they considered whether CIRCUIT HASSLER (Apprentice H T Mo) and DANCES WITH DRAGON (J Moreira) had been afforded a fair start. Subsequently and prior to the declaration of weighed-in, Apprentice Mo made an application to the Stewards for CIRCUIT HASSLER to be declared a non-runner due to having not been afforded a fair start. In respect of CIRCUIT HASSLER, the Stewards found that almost simultaneously with the start being effected CIRCUIT HASSLER, which was being assisted by a starting gate handler, became fractious, reared and made heavy contact with the outside of its stall, resulting in the horse losing a significant amount of ground. As the Stewards believed that CIRCUIT HASSLER became fractious as the Starter was effecting the start and that there was no outside influence associated with CIRCUIT HASSLER’s barrier manners, that horse was considered to have afforded a fair start and accordingly was deemed to be a runner. The Stewards also found that as the start was effected DANCES WITH DRAGON reared abruptly, resulting in its rider, J Moreira, being dislodged and DANCES WITH DRAGON leaving the barrier stalls riderless. As the Stewards were satisfied that DANCES WITH DRAGON’s barrier manners had solely been to blame for the incident and the horse reared simultaneously to the start being effected, it was found that DANCES WITH DRAGON was also afforded a fair start and was also deemed to be a runner. Accordingly, weighed-in was declared on the numbers semaphored by the judge with both CIRCUIT HASSLER and DANCES WITH DRAGON being declared runners. Prior to being permitted to race again, both CIRCUIT HASSLER and DANCES WITH DRAGON will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. IMPERIAL GALLANTRY was crowded for room on jumping between AFFLUENCE START and LET’S TAKE IT EASY, both of which shifted ground. BEAUTY PRINCE began only fairly. GOOD OMEN began awkwardly. MARVEL JOY lost its left hind plate in the early stages. At the 1100 Metres, AFFLUENCE START was severely checked by the riderless DANCES WITH DRAGON. HIGH VOLATILITY was directed out by its rider making the turn near the 1000 Metres when the riderless DANCES WITH DRAGON improved to its inside. RED MARVEL, which was racing to the outside of HIGH VOLATILITY, was hampered and taken wider as a consequence. Making the turn near the 950 Metres, BEAUTY PRINCE (Apprentice M F Poon) became unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by the riderless DANCES WITH DRAGON which improved to be racing tight between that horse and the running rail. After the race, Apprentice Poon reported that his mount became fired up after becoming unbalanced and when challenged by the riderless DANCES WITH DRAGON on its inside. He said, despite his efforts, he was not able to settle BEAUTY PRINCE which got its head up passing the 850 Metres as he attempted to steady that horse. Passing the 400 Metres, CHATER LEGEND was awkwardly placed close to the heels of RED MARVEL. Then shortly after entering the Straight, CHATER LEGEND was steadied when disappointed for running between AFFLUENCE START and RED MARVEL which lay in when commencing to give ground. After being disappointed for running, CHATER LEGEND was awkwardly placed close to the heels of AFFLUENCE START passing the 200 Metres and approaching the 150 Metres was shifted to the inside of AFFLUENCE START to obtain clear running. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY AGILITY, CIRCUIT HASSLER and AFFLUENCE START immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. AFFLUENCE START, IMPERIAL GALLANTRY and HIGH VOLATILITY were sent for sampling. <22/2/2018 Additional Veterinary Report>HAPPY AGILITY, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said at that time there were no significant findings. HAPPY AGILITY was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer P F Yiu this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY AGILITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. The Clinical Veterinary Surgeon reported that DANCES WITH DRAGON was lame in its right front leg this morning. Before being allowed to race again, DANCES WITH DRAGON will be subjected to an official veterinary examination and, as previously advised, the horse will also be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial.