13/01/2021  Happy Valley  Race 3

FOR FUN’S SAKE began awkwardly. BIG BANG BONG also began awkwardly, bumped with CENTENARY IBIS and lost ground. BIG BANG BONG was then shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From wide barriers, FAIRY FLOSS and GO BALLISTIC were also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. At the 1600 Metres, FOR FUN’S SAKE made contact with the hindquarters of VIRTUS STAR when awkwardly placed inside the heels of CENTENARY IBIS which shifted in. For some distance approaching and passing the 1200 Metres, WONDERFUL TIGER commenced to prove difficult to settle and got its head up when being steadied away from the heels of BABY STORM. At the 700 Metres, FAIRY FLOSS got its head up when awkwardly placed inside the heels of CENTENARY IBIS. After the 600 Metres, BIG BANG BONG was steadied away from the heels of VIRTUS STAR which, after shifting out slightly, then resumed its position on the rail. At the 100 Metres, M L Yeung (AFRICAN SKY) momentarily dropped his left rein. Throughout the race, GLORIOUS BUDDY travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of WONDERFUL TIGER from the 500 Metres, C Schofield stated that although he would have preferred to have remained racing on the back of BABY STORM, VIRTUS STAR, which was racing to the inside and slightly in advance of WONDERFUL TIGER, was able to shift out and take this position when travelling far better than WONDERFUL TIGER. He said although unable to continue following BABY STORM, this did not overly concern him as it provided him with the opportunity to ease WONDERFUL TIGER to the outside and having had experience on the horse, he felt it runs its best races when brought to the outside. He said however that after endeavouring to shift to the outside of FOR FUN’S SAKE at the entrance to the Straight, WONDERFUL TIGER hung in and was reluctant to shift out from behind that horse. He added when placed under pressure, WONDERFUL TIGER did not respond to his riding and was very one-paced to the finishing line. A veterinary inspection of WONDERFUL TIGER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. When questioned regarding his riding of FAIRY FLOSS in the Straight, K C Leung stated that upon straightening he elected to follow VIRTUS STAR as he felt that that horse would close off the race strongly and would be a good horse to follow. He said approaching the 200 Metres he did momentarily consider shifting to the outside of VIRTUS STAR as he felt that that horse would shift in when placed under pressure. He said however when VIRTUS STAR maintained its line, he then commenced to ride FAIRY FLOSS along and took the available run inside of VIRTUS STAR with FAIRY FLOSS closing off the race well. BABY STORM and FAIRY FLOSS were sent for sampling.