26/12/2018  Happy Valley  Race 3

HORSE BULLET was withdrawn on 24.12.18 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (cuts to left hock) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPY HAPPY (S de Sousa). Before being allowed to race again, HORSE BULLET will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. As the start was effected, SWEET BEAN lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently missed the start. From wide barriers, TRAVEL AMBASSADOR, LUCKY SHINY DAY and POWER MAN were all shifted across behind runners soon after the start. Passing the 1500 Metres, ROOKIE STAR and MY BLESSING were momentarily crowded by COME ON WONGCHOY which shifted in before being directed out to relieve the tightening. For some distance approaching the 800 Metres, LUCKY SHINY DAY proved difficult to settle and was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TRAVEL AMBASSADOR. After initially endeavouring to shift out to obtain clear running to the outside of CELEBRATION at the entrance to the Straight, HAPPY HAPPY was directed back to the inside of the heels of that horse and to continue improving at the 300 Metres. After passing the 50 Metres, M F Poon, the rider of LUCKY SHINY DAY, was required to stop riding and straighten that horse when it shifted in under pressure. When questioned, Apprentice C Wong (ROOKIE STAR) stated that he was instructed to utilize the horse’s good barrier and to be positive in the early stages in order to obtain a position behind the pace. He said after being ridden along for a short distance soon after the start, he endeavoured to steady ROOKIE STAR approaching the winning post on the first occasion to allow COME ON WONGCHOY to cross into the lead and to obtain cover behind that horse. He said however that after being crossed by COME ON WONGCHOY, ROOKIE STAR commenced to travel keenly and would not settle. He said at the 1200 Metres he therefore elected to allow ROOKIE STAR to shift out from behind COME ON WONGCHOY when it improved to be racing close to the heels of that horse, however, ROOKIE STAR continued to travel keenly and would not relax. He added ROOKIE STAR consequently did not finish off the race which, in his view, was primarily due to the horse’s failure to settle in the early and middle stages. Trainer P F Yiu confirmed that he had instructed Apprentice Wong to ride ROOKIE STAR in a more prominent position tonight as the horse was stepping up to 1800 Metres and he felt that an opportunity presented itself for the horse to race nearer to the lead without being pressured. He said also he was mindful of the fact that horses racing on the speed in the earlier races had appeared to be advantaged. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY HAPPY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. THE JOY OF GIVING and COME ON WONGCHOY were sent for sampling.