30/01/2019  Happy Valley  Race 1

HAPPY OUT THERE began awkwardly and then lost ground when crowded for room between JOYFUL FOREVER which became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by HAPPY OUT THERE and RAICHU which shifted out. OTOUTO began awkwardly and then was bumped by REGENCY HONEY which shifted out. OTOUTO then became unbalanced and shifted out abruptly, resulting in HAPPY HAPPY being bumped, shifting out and inconveniencing SUNNY ORIENT. After this, despite being hard ridden, OTOUTO failed to muster speed. From the outside barriers, PEACE ON EARTH and REAL GIANT were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. When being shifted across behind HAPPY HAPPY to obtain cover near the 1150 Metres, SUNNY ORIENT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse. Near the 1100 Metres, JOYFUL FOREVER was momentarily eased away from the heels of REGENCY HONEY. At the entrance to the Straight, HAPPY OUT THERE was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HAPPY HAPPY and then after the 300 Metres was shifted to the outside of that horse. Passing the 200 Metres, HAPPY HAPPY raced tight inside BEST RUNNER which shifted in when commencing to give ground. When weakening in the Straight, REGENCY HONEY got its head on the side and lay in. A veterinary inspection of REGENCY HONEY immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its right front and right hind legs. Before being allowed to race again, REGENCY HONEY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. Throughout the race, THE SHOW travelled wide and without cover. After the race, G van Niekerk said that, in his opinion, OTOUTO may be better suited by races conducted at Sha Tin as the horse did not show the same pace that it did at its last start when successful at that venue and then did not finish off the race over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of OTOUTO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUNNY ORIENT, THE SHOW and HAPPY HAPPY were sent for sampling.