05/06/2019  Happy Valley  Race 7

SPLIT OF A SECOND was withdrawn on 4.6.19 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter STARLIGHT (T H So). Before being allowed to race again, SPLIT OF A SECOND will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPREME PATROL began only fairly and then from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. BUOYANT BOY shifted out at the start and bumped BALLISTIC KING which was then steadied to obtain a position closer to the rail. From the outside barrier, STARLIGHT was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages to obtain cover. Near the 1050 Metres, BUOYANT BOY was checked and lost ground when crowded for room between SMART LEADER and HARRIER JET (N Callan) which got its head on the side and shifted in despite the considerable efforts of its rider. As the Stewards were satisfied that N Callan had made sufficient endeavour to prevent HARRIER JET from shifting in, no further action was taken. Near the 1000 Metres, SUPREME PATROL was awkwardly placed close to the heels of BUOYANT BOY as that horse lost ground. GOLDEN DASH travelled wide and without cover until near the 600 Metres at which time HARRIER JET was left racing wide and without cover. Passing the 150 Metres and again near the 50 Metres, JUMBO PRIZE and GOLDEN DASH raced tight. Passing the 100 Metres, BALLISTIC KING was awkwardly placed close to the heels of HARRIER JET when being shifted to the outside of that horse to obtain clear running. When questioned, K Teetan stated that he was instructed to lead on SMART LEADER. He said the horse began satisfactorily, however, did not show any early speed and he was obliged to race much further back in the field than had been intended when crossed by STRATHALLAN in the early stages. He said near the 500 Metres SMART LEADER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of STRATHALLAN, however, then came under pressure and he had to ride his mount along to maintain its position. He said he shifted SMART LEADER to the outside of HARRIER JET in the early part of the Straight, however, SMART LEADER did not quicken as he anticipated it would and then finished off the race only fairly over the concluding stages although awkwardly placed inside the heels of BUOYANT BOY. A veterinary inspection of SMART LEADER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. When questioned regarding the performance of ELITE PATCH, K C Leung stated that his mount travelled satisfactorily until the 500 Metres when the pace of the race quickened. He said ELITE PATCH immediately came off the bridle and gave ground noticeably rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. He said he persisted in riding ELITE PATCH until near the 200 Metres, however, having regard to the manner in which the horse was weakening out of the race, he eased it down over the concluding stages as he felt that there may be something amiss with the horse. He added after the race ELITE PATCH did not feel comfortable in its action. A veterinary inspection of ELITE PATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, ELITE PATCH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. After the race, an endoscopic examination was conducted on GOLDEN DASH at the request of Trainer C S Shum. The Veterinary Surgeon said this examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, GOLDEN DASH will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SMART LEADER, GOLDEN DASH and JUMBO PRIZE were sent for sampling.