25/04/2018  Happy Valley  Race 8

From the outside barrier, ACE KING was slow to begin and then despite being ridden along failed to muster speed. Then making the turn after the 1000 Metres, ACE KING was left racing very wide and without cover and was allowed to improve after the 800 Metres into a more forward position, however, continued to race wide and without cover. When being steadied to obtain cover from wide barriers in the early stages, SUPER LEADER and MASTER ALBERT bumped when crowded for room outside HERO TIME which got its head on the side and shifted out. At the entrance to the Back Straight near the 950 Metres, WALDORF shifted out and bumped FANTASTIC FEELING. WALDORF then became unbalanced and shifted in, resulting in MASTER ALBERT, which was following, being steadied away from the heels of WALDORF in consequence. Passing the 800 Metres, FANTASTIC FEELING got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed close to the heels of HERO TIME. Approaching the 500 Metres, MASTER ALBERT was awkwardly placed behind FANTASTIC FEELING. Passing the 500 Metres, SUPER LEADER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of SMART BOY which shifted to the outside of TRIUMPHANT JEWEL to improve. Close to the finishing line, HIGH FIVE and CHEERFULJET raced tight. After the race, K C Leung stated that HERO TIME was disappointing and the only excuse he could offer for the horse’s performance was that it was up in grade tonight. He said the early part of the race was run at a faster tempo than its last start when successful which may also have negatively impacted on HERO TIME’s ability to finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of HERO TIME immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY HAPPY STAR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CHEERFULJET and STORM SIGNAL were sent for sampling.