29/01/2020  Happy Valley  Race 6

SURREALISM was withdrawn on 28.1.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left hind) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter NAMJONG PLUS (M L Yeung). Before being allowed to race again, SURREALISM will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. WINNING DELIGHT stumbled at the start. From the outside barriers, BEAUTY HAPPY and NAMJONG PLUS were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the 1400 Metres, WINNING ENDEAVOUR got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed behind PICKEN. Passing the 1300 Metres, WINNING DELIGHT became unbalanced when momentarily racing tight inside WINNING ENDEAVOUR which shifted in marginally away from the heels of PICKEN. After the 1300 Metres, HOME WIN was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1000 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead approaching the 700 Metres at which stage BRAVE LEGEND was left racing wide and without cover before being taken wider again at the 550 Metres by PICKEN which shifted to the outside of LONDON LUCKYSTAR. After the 1100 Metres, WINNING ENDEAVOUR got its head up when continuing to prove difficult to settle. After the 500 Metres, CHUNG WAH SPIRIT attempted to improve into tight running between DIVINE UNICORN and LONDON LUCKYSTAR. CHUNG WAH SPIRIT was then held up for running passing the 400 Metres when unable to improve between those horses. In the early part of the Straight, HOME WIN got its head on the side and lay in and approaching the 200 Metres was awkwardly placed outside the heels of DIVINE UNICORN. Passing the 300 Metres, LONDON LUCKYSTAR was crowded for room between HOME WIN and PICKEN (G van Niekerk) which shifted in. G van Niekerk was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care. Passing the 200 Metres, NAMJONG PLUS raced in restricted room inside BEAUTY HAPPY. PICKEN lost its left front plate after the race. The Stewards interviewed K Teetan (WINNING ENDEAVOUR) regarding his use of the whip forward of the saddle in the Straight. K Teetan was advised that whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the offence tonight did not warrant a period of suspension of his licence to ride in races, he was fined the sum of $20,000 and again advised that further appropriate disciplinary action would likely be taken in the future if he continues to offend in this regard. A veterinary inspection of BRAVE LEGEND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. CINQUANTE CINQ and DIVINE UNICORN were sent for sampling.