20/05/2020  Happy Valley  Race 4

JOLLY GOOD HEART was slow to begin. G UNIT shifted out at the start and bumped BE READY which was hampered. CLASSIC UNICORN lost its left hind plate at the start. From the outside barrier, KING’S EMINENCE was steadied in the early stages and shifted across behind runners. After being ridden along for some distance in the early stages, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS commenced to travel keenly after the 800 Metres and got its head up on a number of occasions when being checked away from the heels of ALLIED AGILITY. After this, EXPLOSIVE WITNESS continued to travel keenly and again proved very difficult to settle and got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of VERY SWEET ORANGE after the 700 Metres. Passing the 600 Metres, ALLIED AGILITY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of CLASSIC UNICORN and then made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly, resulting in BE READY being awkwardly placed outside the heels of ALLIED AGILITY. As this was occurring, BE READY became badly unbalanced when bumped on the hindquarters by G UNIT which also made the turn after the 600 Metres awkwardly. Throughout the race, FLYING GENIUS travelled wide and without cover and then lay out rounding the Home Turn. KING’S EMINENCE made the Home Turn awkwardly and shifted out. Passing the 250 Metres, the whip of C Y Ho (JOLLY GOOD HEART) became entangled in the reins as he was changing the whip over into his right hand. Passing the 200 Metres, ALLIED AGILITY raced tight inside VERY SWEET ORANGE. After the race, J Moreira stated that EXPLOSIVE WITNESS’ failure to finish off the race could be attributed to the manner in which the horse over-raced after being ridden along in the early stages. A veterinary inspection of EXPLOSIVE WITNESS immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of mucus in the horse’s trachea. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of ALLIED AGILITY, Apprentice K H Chan stated that it was anticipated that tonight’s race would be run at a fast tempo and therefore he should obtain a trailing position behind the speed if possible. He said after being ridden along in the early stages ALLIED AGILITY became unbalanced near the 800 Metres when racing tight between VERY SWEET ORANGE and CLASSIC UNICORN. He said after shifting ALLIED AGILITY behind the eventual winner and leader CLASSIC UNICORN near the 700 Metres, ALLIED AGILITY lay out and then after being placed under pressure in the Straight did not finish off the race as anticipated. He added ALLIED AGILITY may not have appreciated being amongst runners as when he had ridden the horse previously over the 1000 Metre course at Sha Tin, ALLIED AGILITY, from an inside barrier, was able to race on its own and at its last start he noted that the horse was successful after racing three wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of ALLIED AGILITY immediately following the race including an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ALLIED AGILITY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. EXPLOSIVE WITNESS, CLASSIC UNICORN and BE READY were sent for sampling. <21/5/2020 Additional Veterinary Report>The Veterinary Surgeon reported that BE READY was lame in its right front leg on the morning after racing. Before being allowed to race again, BE READY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.