11/04/2018  Happy Valley  Race 6

SLEEP EDUCATION was withdrawn on 10.4.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LUCKY GIRL (T Berry). Before being allowed to race again, SLEEP EDUCATION will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR began only fairly. Shortly after the start, RIGHT HONOURABLE was steadied to obtain a position with cover. From wide barriers, PRETTY BAUHINIA, BRING IT ON and SALTO OLIMPICO were all shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 650 Metres, SALTO OLIMPICO was awkwardly placed outside the heels of PRETTY BAUHINIA which was shifted out to improve. At the entrance to the Straight, RIGHT HONOURABLE was momentarily awkwardly placed behind MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR. When questioned, N Callan stated that he was instructed to lead on HAPPY SPIRIT as it was felt that the horse races best when ridden in the lead and on the rail. He said from its wide barrier he had to make a lot of use of HAPPY SPIRIT to cross GLORIOUS FOREVER which he was able to do near the 1200 Metres. He said whilst in ordinary circumstances he would have remained racing to the outside of LUCKY GIRL, having regard to his instructions, he then allowed HAPPY SPIRIT to continue on into the lead approaching the 1000 Metres. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY SPIRIT immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front leg. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY SPIRIT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, Apprentice H N Wong stated that he was asked to obtain a forward position on LITTLE DRAGON from the horse’s inside barrier and it was felt that the horse would be able to show sufficient speed to race behind the leaders. He said, despite riding his mount along in the early stages, after being able to obtain a trailing position behind LUCKY GIRL, LITTLE DRAGON was reluctant to maintain its position and would not hold its ground inside initially MAJESTIC ENDEAVOUR passing the winning post on the first occasion and then inside SILVERFIELD after the 1300 Metres. He said this resulted in LITTLE DRAGON racing much further back in the field than had been anticipated. SILVERFIELD, PRETTY BAUHINIA and LET’S TAKE IT EASY were sent for sampling.