07/10/2020  Happy Valley  Race 6

STOCK LEGEND began very awkwardly and got its head up which resulted in the horse losing a significant amount of ground. Before being allowed to race again, STOCK LEGEND will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial. HOT CHILI PEPPER shifted out at the start and bumped SIMPLY FLUKE. HIN YUEN BIS and SELL MY SOLE bumped at the start. After the 800 Metres, KINDA COOL was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 350 Metres, EVERBRAVE was shifted to the outside of HAPPY GOOD GUYS which shifted in to improve inside ONE HAPPY STAR. Near the 250 Metres, STOCK LEGEND shifted out and made contact with HOT CHILI PEPPER. Then passing the 200 Metres, HOT CHILI PEPPER was checked when crowded for rom between SIMPLY FLUKE and STOCK LEGEND which, when improving to the outside of GOOD SHOT (M Chadwick), was taken out by that horse which, after initially shifting out away from the heels of KINDA COOL, then shifted out further away from that horse. As the Stewards were satisfied that there were a number of factors which contributed to this incident, no further action was taken, however, M Chadwick was advised to make every endeavour to prevent his mounts from shifting ground in similar circumstances. Passing the 150 Metres, GOOD SHOT raced tight inside STOCK LEGEND. The Stewards questioned H T Mo, the rider of PRECIOUS SWEETIE, regarding his riding of that horse, particularly after the 600 Metres. H T Mo stated that it was anticipated that there were a number of horses drawn inside PRECIOUS SWEETIE which would maintain their position and therefore he was asked to obtain a position behind midfield with cover if possible. He said after shifting across to race behind GOOD SHOT after the 1100 Metres, he followed that horse in the early part of the Back Straight. He said when GOOD SHOT shifted in away from the rail at the 800 Metres, he allowed PRECIOUS SWEETIE to gradually improve its position and making the turn after the 600 Metres PRECIOUS SWEETIE improved to be racing inside the heels of GOOD SHOT and behind EVERBRAVE. He said he continued to race behind EVERBRAVE after the 500 Metres before shifting his mount to the outside of that horse passing the 400 Metres. He said after shifting to the outside of EVERBRAVE, he commenced to ride his mount along and improved to be racing inside SELL MY SOLE. He said passing the 200 Metres he commenced to use the whip on the horse and PRECIOUS SWEETIE finished off the race satisfactorily. When questioned regarding the style of his riding rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight, H T Mo stated that his mount was unbalanced in its action and he was attempting to ride the horse out whilst also trying to have it as balanced as possible which he reported to the connections after the race. The Stewards adjourned the matter until a date to be fixed so that Mr L Ho, the trainer of PRECIOUS SWEETIE, can be available. A veterinary inspection of PRECIOUS SWEETIE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SELL MY SOLE immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, SELL MY SOLE will be required to perform satisfactorily in a barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. KINDA COOL, STOCK LEGEND and HIN YUEN BIS were sent for sampling.