09/09/2020  Happy Valley  Race 1

MASTERWORK and LA BOMBA were slow to begin. After this, LA BOMBA, from the outside barrier, was shifted across behind runners. HARBOUR ALERT shifted out at the start and bumped BEAUT BEAUT. SHOW MISSION was crowded for room on jumping between YEE CHEONG LUCKY and ISLAND WINNER which shifted out. In this incident, SHOW MISSION made contact with YEE CHEONG LUCKY which became unbalanced, shifted out and bumped APOLLOS BOW which also received contact from FLYING MONKEY on jumping. Passing the 600 Metres, MASTERWORK and LA BOMBA made contact as LA BOMBA was being directed in by AURORA STEED (Z Purton) which, after initially racing wide, was being steadied and shifting in to obtain cover. Then making the turn after the 600 Metres, LA BOMBA lost ground when badly crowded for room between AURORA STEED and MASTERWORK which got its head on the side and shifted out abruptly. In this incident, AURORA STEED became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters by LA BOMBA. Whilst the Stewards were satisfied that MASTERWORK’s inability to make the first turn had contributed significantly to this incident, nonetheless Z Purton was severely reprimanded for initially shifting in and causing the initial crowding to LA BOMBA and MASTERWORK. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, YEE CHEONG LUCKY got its head on the side, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of FLYING MONKEY. BEAUT BEAUT brushed the running rail making the turn after the 600 Metres. Passing the 500 Metres, ISLAND WINNER got its head on the side, lay out and crowded YEE CHEONG LUCKY which was awkwardly placed close to the heels of APOLLOS BOW. Approaching and passing the 400 Metres, AURORA STEED got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed close to the heels of ISLAND WINNER. Shortly after entering the Straight, YEE CHEONG LUCKY, which was attempting to improve into tight running between FLYING MONKEY and APOLLOS BOW, was crowded for room outside APOLLOS BOW which was hampered when taken out by BEAUT BEAUT (Apprentice C L Chau) which shifted to the outside of HARBOUR ALERT to obtain clear running. Apprentice Chau was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 200 Metres, AURORA STEED raced tight inside ISLAND WINNER. Throughout the race, FLYING MONKEY travelled wide and without cover. After the race, A Hamelin stated that, in his opinion, the distance of tonight’s race was too short for YEE CHEONG LUCKY and because of this the horse was always off the bridle. A veterinary inspection of YEE CHEONG LUCKY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ISLAND WINNER and LA BOMBA immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. WINS ALL and GOUTEN OF GARO were sent for sampling.