08/04/2020  Happy Valley  Race 7

On leaving the Parade Ring, BEAR AGAIN made contact with a rail. On arrival at the Start, BEAR AGAIN was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. FARSHAD shifted out at the start and bumped GREEN REIGN which was then steadied when crowded for room between FARSHAD and LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT. BEAR AGAIN shifted out at the start and inconvenienced HOLY HEART which raced tight inside SMOOTHIES. From the outside barriers, GOOD OMEN and THE DRIVE were steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. Despite being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, FARSHAD failed to muster speed. After being ridden along in the early stages, FLASH FAMOUS was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover after the 1600 Metres. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, FARSHAD was awkwardly placed outside the heels of HOLY HEART. TRAVEL FIRST raced wide and without cover until approaching the 1000 Metres at which stage the horse was steadied to obtain cover behind LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT which after the 1100 Metres was taken wider and into a position without cover by BEAR AGAIN which shifted to the outside of SMOOTHIES. After this, LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT continued to travel wide and without cover. At the 300 Metres, BRAVE LEGEND shifted out and bumped LAOS ENLIGHTENMENT which was giving ground, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SMOOTHIES, K C Leung stated that as was the case last start when the horse was successful at Sha Tin, he was able to obtain the lead on SMOOTHIES. He said however SMOOTHIES was pressured at the 500 Metres by BEAR AGAIN which improved to its outside which was not the case at its last start when SMOOTHIES was able to improve into the race without having been pressured to its outside. He said he had to ride SMOOTHIES along after the 500 Metres to maintain its position inside BEAR AGAIN and SMOOTHIES initially quickened satisfactorily, however, over the concluding stages stayed on only one-paced. A veterinary inspection of SMOOTHIES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that HOLY HEART had bled from both nostrils. HOLY HEART, BEAR AGAIN and FLASH FAMOUS were sent for sampling.