03/06/2020  Happy Valley  Race 8

DIVINE UNICORN shifted out at the start and bumped ULTIMATE GLORY. DIVINE UNICORN was then crowded for room between ULTIMATE GLORY and RICH AND LUCKY which shifted out a short distance after the start. Shortly after the start, NAMJONG PLUS and CHARITY WINGS bumped. After this, NAMJONG PLUS was shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From wide barriers, CHARIZARD and FLASH FAMOUS were also steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. BEST ALLIANCE had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching the 200 Metres and was shifted to the outside of FLASH FAMOUS to obtain clear running passing the 200 Metres. Approaching the 100 Metres, NAMJONG PLUS was shifted out away from the heels of DIVINE UNICORN which shifted out away from SUNSHINE WARRIOR which shifted out before being corrected by its rider. The Stewards will interview Mr W Y So, the trainer of DIVINE UNICORN, regarding the improved performance of that horse in tonight’s race prior to the Sha Tin racemeeting to be conducted on Sunday, 7 June 2020. Mr So informed the Stewards that he had left the course due to ill health. When questioned regarding the performance of RICH AND LUCKY, Z Purton stated that as it was anticipated that THUNDER STOMP and TOP SCORE would be ridden along from wide barriers to obtain a forward position, he was asked to take a trailing position behind those horses rather than engage in a speed battle in the early stages to contest the lead. He said RICH AND LUCKY was able to obtain a forward position in the early stages without having to be made use of and relaxed satisfactorily after being crossed by TOP SCORE after the 1300 Metres. He said RICH AND LUCKY travelled as well as it did at its most recent start over the course and distance when successful and at the 500 Metres shifted to the outside of TOP SCORE which came under pressure. He said RICH AND LUCKY initially quickened well, however, at the entrance to the Straight was not finishing off the race as anticipated and came under pressure. He said then in the Straight RICH AND LUCKY was disappointing in the manner in which it failed to finish off the race. He added whilst RICH AND LUCKY was up in grade tonight, nonetheless the horse was disappointing, particularly given the manner in which it was successful at its most recent start. A veterinary inspection of RICH AND LUCKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. The performance of RICH AND LUCKY, a last start winner, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, RICH AND LUCKY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. RICH AND LUCKY, DIVINE UNICORN and SUNSHINE WARRIOR were sent for sampling. <7/6/2020 3 June 2020 Happy Valley Racemeeting - Race 8 (717)> The Stewards today interviewed Mr W Y So, the trainer of DIVINE UNICORN, regarding the improved performance of the horse. He said DIVINE UNICORN was having only its third start since being transferred to his stable and, in his opinion, had been showing improvement. He said at its most recent start he had instructed for the horse to be ridden quietly due to the outside barrier as he felt that too much use of the horse would have to be made to obtain a prominent position. He said at the start prior to that he had instructed for the horse to be ridden more positively, however, for the majority of the race it travelled wide and without cover and consequently was not able to finish off the race. He said in the subject race DIVINE UNICORN was able to be ridden in a more forward position from a favourable barrier and had benefited by the race being run at a good temp. He added he had found DIVINE UNICORN to be somewhat one-paced, so the horse having been drawn favourably and being able to be ridden more prominently and then being suited by the tempo of the race had resulted in DIVINE UNICORN being able to finish off the race well.