18/03/2020  Happy Valley  Race 7

CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT was withdrawn on 17.3.20 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (swollen right front fetlock) and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter HAPPY FAMILY (G van Niekerk). Before being allowed to race again, CALIFORNIADEEPSHOT will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. HAPPY FAMILY was slow to begin. MAGIC SUPREME began only fairly. From a wide barrier, SEVENTH SEA was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After passing the 1000 Metres, MR PICASSO was steadied away from the heels of JUMBO ENGINE (K C Leung) which shifted in when not properly clear. K C Leung was reprimanded. Passing the 500 Metres, MR PICASSO was steadied when racing in restricted room inside MAGIC SUPREME which, after improving to be racing inside the heels of JUMBO ENGINE, was taken in by that horse. Approaching the 400 Metres, HAPPY FAMILY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of JUMBO HAPPINESS which shifted in marginally. For the majority of the race, STAR OF YUEN LONG travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on MR PICASSO, Apprentice C Wong stated that although the horse was successful at its last start in a lower grade when ridden in the lead, the connections felt that there were a number of horses that would be ridden to take up forward positions and for this reason it was felt that it would be in MR PICASSO’s best interests to find cover and it was hoped that this would be near midfield. He added that he was obliged to race slightly further back than midfield in order to obtain cover as instructed. When questioned, K Teetan stated that VICTORY IN HAND took up a forward position and led as anticipated. He said VICTORY IN HAND tended to race a little harder in the lead than it had previously done when ridden by him and when placed under pressure in the Straight did not respond as expected. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY IN HAND immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, G van Niekerk stated that he eased HAPPY FAMILY down over the latter stages of the race as the horse was not striding out properly. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY FAMILY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, HAPPY FAMILY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. A veterinary inspection of MAGIC SUPREME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. VICTORY IN HAND, JUMBO HAPPINESS and ISLAND SHINE were sent for sampling.