12/02/2020  Happy Valley  Race 5

FORZA ANGEL began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of STRONGER, resulting in STRONGER becoming unbalanced and FORZA ANGEL losing ground. FORZA ANGEL was then ridden along for some distance, however, failed to muster speed and raced back in the field. HONG KONG WIN began only fairly, shifted out and bumped TELECOM PUMA, causing both horses to become unbalanced. HONG KONG WIN was then steadied shortly after the start when racing in restricted room between STRONGER and TELECOM PUMA which shifted in when unbalanced. QUADRUPLE DOUBLE and BALTIC WHISPER bumped at the start. From the outside barrier, GOODLUCK GOODLUCK was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After being ridden along in the early stages from a wide barrier, LITTLE BIRD was steadied approaching the 900 Metres when racing wide in order to obtain cover. When being steadied to obtain cover behind HEART CONQUERED, LITTLE BIRD was awkwardly placed outside the heels of that horse which was racing tight outside MONTREAL. Near the 750 Metres, HONG KONG WIN was eased when unable to maintain its position inside TELECOM PUMA which was racing tight inside QUADRUPLE DOUBLE. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, HONG KONG WIN momentarily raced tight inside CUE THE MUSIC which got its head on the side and lay in away from QUADRUPLE DOUBLE. Approaching the 500 Metres, CUE THE MUSIC was very awkwardly placed close to the heels of QUADRUPLE DOUBLE. After this, CUE THE MUSIC improved into tight running inside QUADRUPLE DOUBLE which resulted in CUE THE MUSIC and HONG KONG WIN racing tight rounding the Home Turn. Near the 150 Metres, LITTLE BIRD shifted out away from the heels of HEART CONQUERED to obtain clear running. For the majority of the race, HEART CONQUERED travelled wide and without cover. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that the riding out of BALTIC WHISPER very close to the finishing line did not affect that horse’s finishing position, Apprentice K H Chan was told to ensure that he rides his mounts out all the way to the end of the race wherever circumstances permit. After the race, M F Poon, the rider of QUADRUPLE DOUBLE, stated that his mount raced "flat”. A veterinary inspection of QUADRUPLE DOUBLE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HEART CONQUERED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. STRONGER and HONG KONG WIN were sent for sampling.