22/01/2020  Happy Valley  Race 5

BRAVE POWER was withdrawn on 21.1.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore and right hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter WINNER’S HEART. Before being allowed to race again, BRAVE POWER will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. SUPER WINNER began only fairly. SMART THINKER began awkwardly and then became badly unbalanced when bumped by WINNER’S HEART which shifted out. SKY FIELD and WINNING STRIKES bumped at the start and then from the outside barriers both horses were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Near the 750 Metres, EXCEL DELIGHT was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CHUNGHWA JINGSHEN when being steadied to obtain cover behind that horse. Making the turn near the 550 Metres, SUPER WINNER got its head on the side and shifted out towards the heels of CHUNGHWA JINGSHEN and was consequently checked away from the heels of that horse and lost ground. SMART OF YOUTH, which was following SUPER WINNER, was hampered in consequence and shifted out, resulting in ISLAND WINNER being taken wider. ISLAND WINNER then got its head on the side and lay out away from SMART OF YOUTH. SUPER WINNER had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the Straight and approaching the 200 Metres was shifted to the inside of WINNER’S HEART. SUPER WINNER was then held up for clear running passing the 150 Metres and near the 100 Metres was shifted to the outside of WINNER’S HEART. When questioned, J Moreira stated that as it was anticipated that tonight’s race would be run at a fast tempo, he was asked to position SMART OF YOUTH in behind the speed if possible in about 3rd or 4th position. He said after momentarily racing in restricted room shortly after the start inside VERY SWEET ORANGE, he believed he would have had to make too much use of SMART OF YOUTH to obtain the positon as instructed and therefore he elected to shift his mount across behind runners and obtain a position closer to the rail which resulted in the horse racing further back in the field than had been intended. He added after being hampered near the 500 Metres he shifted SMART OF YOUTH to the outside of runners passing the 300 Metres and SMART OF YOUTH then closed off the race well. A veterinary inspection of ISLAND WINNER and EXCEL DELIGHT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER WINNER, VERY SWEET ORANGE and DR PROACTIVE were sent for sampling.